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 Chinese Catholic community in Singapore.

The church, with its tower, was constructed between 1869 to 1870. The Chinese Catholic Mission serving a congregation of all the Chinese dialect groups and their Indian brethren erected it. It was also a centre for many European missionaries who needed to learn the Chinese language before other postings.

It is said that Napoleon III of France defrayed the cost of the compound wall of the church. The church was smaller then, with only seven pairs of columns.