Church of the Assumption (Penang)
| Church of the Assumption | |
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 Church of the Assumption
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| 5°25′11″N 100°20′20.8″E / 5.41972°N 100.339111°ECoordinates: 5°25′11″N 100°20′20.8″E / 5.41972°N 100.339111°E | |
| Location | 3 Farquhar Street George Town, Penang |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | assumptionchurchpenang.org |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Cathedral of the Assumption |
| Founded | August 1786 |
| Founder(s) | Captain Francis Light and friends |
| Dedicated | 1955 (cathedral status) |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Colonial |
| Completed | 1787 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of towers | 2 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | City Parish |
| Diocese | Penang |
| Province | Kuala Lumpur |
| Clergy | |
| Priest(s) | Fr. Nelson Chitty |
| Assistant priest(s) | Fr. Joachim Robert |
The Church of the Assumption was founded in 1786, when Captain Francis Light first came to Penang, Malaysia. It is located in Farquhar Street, George Town, within the heritage core zone of the city. The church is the third oldest Catholic church in Malaysia.
This church was the seat of the bishop of Penang from 1955 to 2003 and it is also a World Heritage Church.
In 1786, Captain Francis Light landed on Penang Island and named it Prince of Wales Island. He set up the Fort Cornwallis. In conjunction with their landing in Penang which coincides with the feast of the Assumption of The Blessed Mary on 15 August that year, he and his companions built a church and named it Church of the Assumption. It was the first Roman Catholic church in the northern region of Malaysia, as well as the first church built after the British landed in Penang. They went on to control Malaya later on.
As the population of Penang Island continues to increase, there was a need for a bigger church. In 1860, the present crucifix shaped church, was constructed. It was completed in 1861 and opened. It consists of 2 bell towers and a huge altar. The pipe organ, which can still be found in the church, was installed in 1916 and the choir gallery was extended.
In December 1941, when the Japanese conquered Penang, the church was closed except for a few masses. It was said that during one day, when the bells of the church were tolled, a Japanese soldier went into the church to cut off the ropes, saying that the bells were noisy. Life went back to normal when the Japanese surrendered in August 1945.
In 1954, in conjunction with the Marian Year, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried on a long procession through the streets of George Town. It was replaced with a shrine built in front of the church. The need for a diocese was raised up after the Japanese occupation. After much discussion, finally on 25 February 1955, the Penang Diocese was established together with the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. At the same time, Bishop Francis Chan and Bishop Dominic Vendargon were elected as bishops of Penang and Kuala Lumpur respectively. They were both ordained at this church. This church, together with St. John's Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur were given the cathedral status.
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Wikipedia