By Robert Kip & Ivy Chai
BAU — On 16 July 2023, the Catholic community of Kampung Suba Bau witnessed the blessing of their new Church, Mary Immaculate Conception, by Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh. At the same Mass, 234 confirmands from Zon Bratak received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Previously named St Mary’s Chapel, the newly completed Mary Immaculate Conception Church is built on what used to be the grounds of the 39-year-old St Mary’s Chapel.
In view of the growing congregation, the old, dilapidated chapel built in 1984, was demolished to make way for the construction of a new church in November 2011. While the church was being rebuilt, Masses were celebrated in the Kampung Suba Bau town hall until 23 November 2020, courtesy of the past and present Village Heads.
History of Christian Propagation
Christianity came to Kampung Suba Bau 69 years ago, through a Christian convert, Cikgu Boniface Rigod who was baptised in April 1954 at St Joseph’s Church, Kuching. He was initially posted as a teacher to St John Primary School in Kampung Sagah Bau, and subsequently to St Stephen Primary School Bau in 1957. Cikgu Boniface Rigod actively propagated the Good News in Kampung Suba Bau such that by the end of 1957, a total of 1,958 villagers were baptised by Fr Luis. He became the appointed Prayer Leader for 23 years, until 1980.
Christianity then spread throughout Kampung Suba Laie and Kampung Suba Bau. The parishioners from these villages celebrated Mass at St Stephen’s Church in Bau and also shared the same cemetery for burials. There were initial objections for a separate church to be built in Kampung Suba Bau, hence it took 30 years for St Mary’s to be built and another 69 years for this new Church today.
Mary Immaculate Conception Church
Construction work on the new Church commenced on 16 November 2015 and it was completed on 17 December 2022. Although estimated to be completed within four (4) years, the project took seven (7) years because of the Covid-19 pandemic when all construction work came to a standstill.
Since 23 November 2020, although not fully completed, celebration of Mass was held in the new Church. Measuring 58 feet wide, 125 feet long and 47 feet high and with 121 pews, the Church can accommodate 600 parishioners.
The Church has an awning and a bell tower at the front, with the Altar and the rows of pews for the congregation in the centre of the Church. At the back of the Church, there is a room each for the Priest and the Altar Servers. Lavatories are located in a separate building at the back of the Church.
The total cost for the construction of the Mary Immaculate Conception Church is RM1,246,813.25, made possible through donations from the congregation, Fund Raising activities such as Dinner, Jogathon, A Dollar a Brick project, UNIFOR’s (Unit for Other Religions) contribution (RM400,000.00) and funds from (DUN) the State Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament (RM370,000.00).
