Asia

Singapore's Oldest Church

I had made a post on Singapore about one of its oldest churches (St. Andrew’s Cathedral) but this time this post is on Singapore’s oldest one which I also had the chance to see while on a trip there. According to Singapore’s National Heritage Board, the Armenian Church is the oldest surviving Christian Church and was the first to be built in Singapore (1834-1835). It was consecrated in March 1836. It is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Irish architect, George D. Coleman.
Why is there an Armenian church in Singapore? Based on history, the number of Armenian families was growing in the early 1830s. This was largely due to the vast business prospects in Southeast Asia. With their increase in numbers, there was a need for their own place of worship.
The interior of the church is based on traditional Armenian Church architecture. There is a Memorial garden outside the church with tombstones of Armenians who had died in Singapore.
I was very impressed with how the church and its surroundings have been preserved and kept well until now.  Regular Orthodox Christian services continue to be held at the Church.
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This post is also my entry to Tuesday Travels and Wednesday Whites

13 thoughts on “Singapore's Oldest Church”

  1. wow that church look so magnificent. i bet it feel so nice when ur inside.
    Im here for Wednesday Whites and below is my entry
    Assorted Cards

  2. beautiful church, liked it 🙂 Thank you for sharing Singapore with us. Visiting from Tuesday Travels, hope that you can return the visit too.

  3. That’s a very nice church, looks so modern for an ancient building, and it looks like just a house. 🙂
    Visiting for last week’s TT. Thanks for joining! Linky is up again for this week, hope to see your entry! 🙂

  4. looks like a building in Greece especially with those parthenon looking pillars. 🙂 visiting from wednesday whites.

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