History & Architecture
Timeline
- 1870
- Jan 21
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Chinese: 圣伯多禄圣保禄堂)
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Chinese: 圣伯多禄圣保禄堂) is a Roman Catholic Church in Singapore. It is located at Queen Street, within the Central Area in Singapore’s central business district. The church was built in the tropical Gothic style, a popular architectural style during the colonial period in Singapore. The façade ..Read more
Jan 22
Inside the church, there are five stained glass windows made in France and installed around 1870. The glass panels featured, among others figures, the patron saints, Peter and Paul, and St Joseph.
Jan 22
They feature (from top left) St Joseph (Frame donated by Mr Joseph Chan Teck Hee), St Peter (well-wishers), Our Lady of Lourdes (Mr. Goh Ngee Kee), St Paul (Ms Khiam Hua Heng, a Bangkok firm), and the Sacred Heart of Our Lord (Mr. Jacob Low Khiok Chiang).
Jan 22
They feature (from top left) St Joseph (Frame donated by Mr Joseph Chan Teck Hee), St Peter (well-wishers), Our Lady of Lourdes (Mr. Goh Ngee Kee), St Paul (Ms Khiam Hua Heng, a Bangkok firm), and the Sacred Heart of Our Lord (Mr. Jacob Low Khiok Chiang).
Jan 22
The 2 frames (front left and right of the church) were paid for together with the one near belfry by parishoners.
Jan 22
Church of Sts. Peter & Paul was built and became the “seat” of the Chinese community in Singapore. The mission was a beacon for Chinese converts within and outside Singapore. The history of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul is closely linked with the beginning and growth of the ..Read more
- 1883
- Jan 22
Father Pierre Paris, MEP, bestowed the three bells, which are still in use today, but the state of his health prevented him from being present when the bells were blessed. He also initiated construction of the spire. Father Paris died on 23 May 1883, after having worked in the Straits ..Read more
- 1892
- Jan 22
1891 – 1892
The church was enlarged when the sacristy and transept were added. Father Vignol also erected three marble altars whereby the High Altar in the new sanctuary was consecrated by Bishop Edouard Gasnier
- 1911
- Jan 22
1910 – 1911
The church was further extended with the enlargement of the choir loft, construction of the entrance porch and the extension of the façade with the help of contributions from wealthy Chinese parishioners such as Mr Low Gek Seng, a manager of the Bangkok and Singapore-based merchant firm Kiam Hoa Heng.
- 1915
- Jan 22
The existing gas lighting was replaced with electric lights.
- 1969
- Oct 22
October 1969
A major renovation of the church was planned for its centenary year, with the help of the Church Renovation Committee, the parishioners and other well-wishers, renovations were completed in time for the Centenary Celebrations in June and July 1970.
- 2001
- Jan 22
With the ongoing transformation of the city into a vibrant and exciting area for the arts, tourism and a city campus for the Singapore Management University, the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul is an ideal location to serve the ever-changing needs of the growing community and her parishioners.
Jan 22
We embarked on a massive and bold redevelopment plan to build a new parish building, an Chapel and a Columbarium. This plan was to cost the Church SGD$7 million. With the generous support of the parishioners, well-wishes and fellow Catholics – and more importantly, the blessing of Our Lord – ..Read more
Jan 22
- 2003
- Feb 10
10 February 2003
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul was gazetted a national monument
- 2006
- Nov 12
4 September to 12 November 2006
The church was one of the exhibition venues for the Singapore Biennale, Singapore’s inaugural international biennale of contemporary art.
- 2008
- Jan 22
Early 2008
The church installed a second-hand 50 stops Allen 2 Manual Digital Computer Organ in the Choir Loft.
- 2014
- Dec 22
Late 2014
Singapore’s second oldest Catholic church begins restoration works, which will be an extensive $8million facelift for the 145-year-old church.
Dec 22Late 2014
This is a new beginning, a new chapter in the history of the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul. Currently, the church is under the care of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. All masses are usually in English with a Mandarin service on Sunday mornings and a Cantonese service on Sunday afternoons.