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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
St George's Church: A national heritage that remains a living church in George Town today
GEORGE TOWN, July 1 — Standing proud on the corner of Farquhar Street and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, St George's Church has always attracted visitors because of its majestic architecture featuring tall Doric columns and a steeple with a spire rising from the roof. Built in 1818 and consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta Reverend Thomas Middleton on May 11, 1819, the church is the oldest Anglican Church in South-east Asia. Declared a national heritage by Jabatan Warisan Negara in 2007, the church has undergone multiple restorations over the years with two major ones, once after it was bombed during World War II and again, between 2010 and 2012. Standing in front of the church is a classical-style domed pavilion, built in the style of a Greek temple. It is a memorial built for Francis Light who established Penang as a port settlement for the East India Company in 1786. The pavilion was built in 1824, the same year that a tombstone was placed on Light's previously unmarked grave in the Protestant Cemetery on Northam Road. Light died on October 21, 1794. The heritage centre at St George's Church is open daily from 10am to 12pm, except Sundays. Next to the pavilion is a large mahogany tree believed to be planted in 1885 and still standing tall and strong today. The church is typically open to visitors daily and it has a heritage centre for visitors to learn more about its history. However, due to vibrations from heavy vehicles using the road daily, cracks appeared on the grand front portico of the church and it is now under restoration. Church guide Petra Oon said visitors can still visit the heritage centre, a small squat building located next to the church, but due to safety reasons, they are not allowed to enter the church. A pictorial history of the church inside the heritage centre. The heritage centre is open daily from 10am to 12pm except on Sundays. 'This church is a living church, we still have services inside it,' she said. Uniquely, the church services on Sundays are conducted in four different languages—English, Tamil, Mandarin and Malay. 'We have two English services, one traditional with the holy communion and one contemporary,' she said. The English and Mandarin services are held in the main church because they have larger congregations, while the Tamil and Malay services take place in the chapel behind the church as they cater to smaller groups. A picture of the church after it was partially destroyed by a bomb during World War II. The five services are held at different times on Sundays and are open to anyone to attend. Oon said the unique architecture of the church, in a Georgian Palladian architectural style with the classical forms of Ancient Greek and Roman temples, was believed to be based on the cathedral of St George's in Madras (Chennai) in India. She said the church construction, which cost about 60,000 Spanish dollars at that time, was done by convict labour. 'The convicts left their marks on the front steps of the church and also the steps on the pavilion,' she said. The marks are barely discernible symbols carved into one of the steps. Prior to the war, the church had a pipe organ and numerous monuments and tablets along the interior walls but some of these were damaged or looted during the Japanese Occupation in World War II. A picture of the church circa 1880s. 'Some of these monuments and tablets were salvaged but the organ was destroyed,' Oon said. The church was gifted with a new pipe organ in 2017, donated by the family of the late Datuk Tan Kim Yeow. The organ, built by Mander Organs of London, has 1,050 pipes with an organ case of African teak, a console of English oak and pipe shades of limewood carved with traditional motifs. Previously, the church had a two-manual pipe organ that was built in 1899 by Forster & Andres in memory of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The organ was rebuilt in 1939 but a couple years later, the church was hit by a bomb during World War II and after that, the organ was destroyed by looters who had also stripped the church of its furniture, doors, roof tiles and floor slabs. The St George's Church, listed as a Category I heritage building, is within the jurisdiction of the area Diocese of the Northern Peninsula of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. It is one of the eight heritage buildings that will open its doors to visitors under the Historic Building Open House programme during heritage celebrations on July 7. Oon said volunteer guides will be on hand to bring visitors into the church during the open house from 9am to 3pm via the side entrance as the main entrance is now closed for restoration works. 'The heritage centre will be open from 9am to 5pm on that day so visitors can learn more about the church's history after the tour,' she said.
Nikkei Asia
30-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
Footloose in Penang: Malaysian island looks to the future
GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia -- High-rise buildings arrayed like a defensive wall along the eastern coast of Malaysia's Penang Island make it hard to imagine how this tropical outpost would have appeared to the British naval officer who landed on its shore in 1786. Francis Light, who secured Penang for the British after negotiating a deal with the local Malay sultan, went on to make the largely uninhabited island Britain's main trading center in Southeast Asia, alongside nearby Singapore.
Hype Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Hype Malaysia
From 35@Jetty To Penang Hill: 5 Dope Photo Spots To Visit When You Drop By Penang
Penang isn't just a place—it's a living canvas, bursting with hidden stories, vibrant colours, and untold moments waiting to be captured. From the chic street art to the misty heights, this island offers photo opportunities that are anything but ordinary. With such culture, nature and history, there's sure to be frames to be snapped? Dust off your DSLR, CCD, or tap the camera icon, because you're about to discover the top places in Penang where every shot is probably a moment to capture with friends and family. 1. China Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh China) Once a shoreline path with stone steps leading to the sea, this area was extended through reclamation between 1880 and 1904 to make way for warehouses and offices. The extension disrupted the sea view of Kuan Im Teng temple, upsetting the local Chinese community. The British also built the Malayan Railway Building with a clock tower, which was seen as bad feng shui, further straining relations. Capture the mix of colonial and modern architecture, especially the Malayan Railway Building and surrounding warehouses. The street offers vibrant scenes for urban and street photography, with its busy markets and local life providing plenty of candid moments. The contrast between old and new structures adds an interesting dimension to your shots. 2. 35@Jetty Located on Weld Quay, 35@Hetty occupies a century-old godown once used for storage and printing. As part of George Town's busy trading port, the building carries historical significance and is situated within the UNESCO Heritage Zone. The current tenants decided to preserve their weathered charm by maintaining the building's original character, opting for minimal restoration. Instead of turning it into another boutique hotel, they transformed it into an arts and cultural space, featuring event halls and an artisan walkway, to support local creative industries. Raw and textured, high ceilings, and filled to the brim with cool trinkets and retro decor, a modern twist to the heritage and character of the building. The Walkway is lined with stalls selling handmade crafts like batik art, henna designs, to handpicked second-hand clothing. In the cafes and spaces, vibrant, close-up shots of local artistry blend with industrial space. Cultural flair provides a unique backdrop for both architectural and artisan photography, with opportunities to capture both wide-angle shots of the venue and detailed shots of the place. Don't forget the street art around the area, too. 3. The Esplanade Also known as Padang Kota Lama, it is a historic waterfront area that dates back to Francis Light's arrival in 1786. Once the island's first cleared land, it's home to key landmarks like Fort Cornwallis, the Millennium Monument, and Speakers' Square. Though structures like the Municipal Band Stand and Vermont Monument are now gone, the area remains a symbol of Penang's colonial past, bordered by Light Street and Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah. History and nature meld into the frame in these open spaces around Fort Cornwallis and the Millennium Monument are perfect for wide shots, while the nearby Taman Kota Lama adds a touch of greenery. Walking along the sea wall provides scenic views of the ocean, sky, and distant buildings—ideal for coastal shots, with the occasional crab scuttling along the shore. 4. Penang Hill The oldest hill station in Malaysia rises 833 meters (2,723 ft) above sea level, offering stunning views of Penang Island. Originally known as Flagstaff Hill by the British, it was here that the flag was raised to signal the arrival of mail. One of its peaks is Bukit Bendera, where the funicular railway station is located. Over the years, it has evolved into a popular destination, with future plans for a cable car connecting the Penang Botanic Gardens to the hill. Breathtaking panoramas and wide-angle shots are the game here, especially from spots like David Brown's Restaurant or the cool, misty areas around The Habitat. The colonial architecture of the Crag Hotel and Convalescent Bungalow provides a rich historical backdrop, while nature lovers can snap shots of the lush greenery and unique flora at Monkey Cup Garden. For something more offbeat, try the Owl Museum or capture the stunning vistas from the funicular railway station. The diverse landscapes and varied architecture make Penang Hill an ideal location for both landscape and architectural photography. 5. Batu Ferringhi Beach If Penang only had one beach, it would be Ferringhi, owing its name to the Malay term for a Western foreigner, possibly derived from the Arabic 'feringgi,' meaning a foreigner. This stretch of coast became a prime resort destination from the mid-70s to the early 90s, with a series of hotels and high-rise condominiums springing up along the shore, offering spectacular sea views. The area also features Lovers' Isle, a small rocky outcrop that has been part of local lore. Despite the tourist development, Batu Feringghi remains a symbol of Penang's vibrant beach culture. The rocky coastline, particularly around Lovers' Isle, provides dramatic backdrops for landscape photography, with boulders and clear skies on a good day. The beach at sunrise or sunset offers stunning light, perfect for wide-angle shots. You can also capture the energy of the bustling night market (pasar malam), where colourful trinkets and local crafts line the street, adding a cultural element to your shots. For action-packed photos, the beach activities like water sports, horseback riding, and fishing provide plenty of dynamic moments to photograph. Sources: Penang Travel Tips(1)(2)(3)(4), Malay Mail Gan contributed to this article.
