By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The big building sprouting from the existing site of St Peter’s Church, Padungan, has become an interesting topic for conversation. Built within a self-contained land area of approximately 12 acres, the new Gothic-inspired St Peter’s Church is about 60 percent completed.
According to the rector of St Peter’s Church, Fr Vincent Chin, a new church had to be built as the foundation of the existing Church, built in 1949, was giving way and not big enough to accommodate a growing parish.
Gothic Architecture
Construction work on the RM38 million new Gothic design St Peter’s Church commenced in October 2019 with the original date of completion forecast for early 2024. However, this target has been rescheduled to the end of 2024 because of the Covid pandemic.
When completed, the new St Peter’s will be a prominent landmark in Kuching City. The architecture with its facade reminiscent of the old and demolished St Joseph’s Church (now Cathedral), will be fully air-conditioned and features stained glass panels depicting some Bible themes incorporated into local native tribe designs and two emblems—the present State emblem, and a Brooke emblem.
Stained glasses will be installed progressively from May onwards. A total of 68 pieces have been commissioned. The stained glass of St Peter, measuring 11.5-metre high and 4-metre wide, will adorn the main front face of the building.
The flooring will be tiled with exclusively designed floor tiles. A cross-shaped baptismal font for baptism by immersion, will be built right in front of the sanctuary.
Two bell towers will house five electronically operated bells that will chime hourly. There will be two digital organs capable of producing “pipe organ quality sound”, one placed in the day Chapel (smaller organ) and the other in the main Church (bigger organ), creating a venue for music rendering and a conducive worship environment.
Apart from the main Church building, there will be a multipurpose hall with an attached office block, an eight-storey hostel for an international school, a four-storey formation centre and ample parking space for cars. There is now a two-storey Columbarium next to the Church.
Donations Most Welcome
Fr Vincent is appealing for generous donations towards the Church building fund, as the collection still has a long way to go to meet the cost of the construction. He has submitted an application for financial aid from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) and is awaiting the outcome.
Those interested to donate may contact St Peter’s Parish at 082-429140 or email stpeterpadungan777@gmail.com
Location a symbol of Unity and Religious Harmony
St Peter’s Church is situated at one end of Padungan, with the Floating Mosque at the opposite end of Gambier Street. It is also in close proximity to a Hindu temple, Sikh temple and the iconic Tua Pek Kong Temple—a great symbol of Kuching as the City of Unity and Religious Harmony.
St Peter’s Church will serve as a new landmark and additional tourist attraction in Kuching.
