- Address: St George's Church, Penang 1, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 4 261 2739
- Website: www.stgeorgeschurchpenang.com
- E-mail: admin@stgeorgeschurchpenang.com
- Date of construction: 1818
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:30 to 16:30, break from 12:30 to 13:30
In the capital of Penang, Georgetown , the oldest in Malaysia Anglican temple - the Church of St. George - deserves attention. It is under the jurisdiction of the Upper Northern Archdiocese of the Anglican diocese of Western Malaysia. Since 2007, the church is on the list of the 50 most important sights of the country.
History of construction
Prior to the construction of the church, religious services were held in the chapel of Fort Cornwallis, and later - in the courtroom (it is located in front of the temple). In 1810, proposals were made to build a permanent church, but the decision was not made until 1815.
Originally it was assumed that the church would be built on the design of Major Thomas Anbury, but later it was decided to take as a basis the project of the governor of the Prince of Wales (then Penang Island ), William Petry. Changes to the project were made by the military engineer Lieutenant Robert Smith, who also supervised the construction. The church was built by convicts. The construction was completed in 1818, and on May 11, 1819, it was consecrated.
Features of architecture
The church is built of brick on a stone foundation. In its appearance, neoclassical, Georgian and English Palladian styles can be traced. It is believed that Robert Smith was impressed by St. George's Cathedral in Madras, built by James Lilliman Caldwell, whose ally and disciple was Smith, and therefore in the guise of the church is clearly visible similarity with the Madras temple.
The white color of the walls contrasts perfectly with the greenery of the lawn and trees. A striking feature of the temple are the massive Doric columns on its facade. Today the Church of St. George has a pediment roof, but it was not until 1864; The pre-existing roof was flat, but this form was not suitable for the tropical climate.
The roof is crowned with an octagonal spire. Near the entrance to the temple stands a memorial pavilion in the Victorian style in honor of Captain Francis Light, the founder of the English colony on the island and the city of Georgetown . The pavilion was built to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the colony, in 1896.
How to get to the temple?
The Church of St. George is located in the north-east of the city, on Jalan Lebuh Farquhar. You can get to it by city buses №№103, 204, 502 or by a free bus (you should leave at the stop "Museum of Penang"). From Fort Cornwallis to the church can be reached on foot in about 10 minutes.
The church is open on weekdays and on Saturdays from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 16:30, on Sundays - the whole day. The services are held on Saturday morning, at 8:30 and at 10:30. Visiting the temple is free of charge.