KUCHING — The soon-to-be-constructed new St Peter’s Church in Padungan is set to be a prominent landmark in the Kuching landscape when completed within the next four years.
The Archbishop of Kuching, Simon Poh officiated the earth breaking ceremony and the blessing of the new Church site together with the Rector of St Peter’s Church, Rev Fr Vincent Chin on Sunday, 20 October.
The contract agreement was also signed on the same day and attended by about 100 parishioners including parish councillors, contractor, architects and well-wishers.
Archbishop Simon Poh sprinkled water on the site to symbolise the blessing of the land and prayed that the Lord will protect all who will be working on the site from all harm.
Fr Vincent Chin, who has an architectural background, said the design of the new church was inspired by the ideas and concepts of churches he experienced and visited around the world. He further said that the first and foremost consideration in their minds when they decided to build the new church was to ensure that the faithful have a conducive environment to worship.
The existing church was built in 1949 and can only accommodate 800 parishioners. In view of the growing population of Catholics going to church especially during church festivals, this has necessitated the building of a bigger church. Moreover, the foundation of the existing church is beginning to give way with signs of cracks all over the building.
The new church design is based on Gothic church architecture with stained glass as the main feature. It will have pointed spires, ogival arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, rose windows, special floor tiles and a bell tower. It will have the capacity to house more than 1,000 worshippers at any one time.
Besides the new church, the State Planning Authority’s approved Master Development Plan includes a multipurpose hall with attached office block, an 8-storey hostel for the International school, a 4-storey formation centre, a 2-storey columbarium and ample parking, well-spaced throughout the whole area.
The new church will cost more than RM37 million and the tender has been awarded to Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd.
The funding of the new church will be from generous parishioners and well-wishers.
St Peter’s Parish Council
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