BUILT in Western neo-classical style influenced by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the newly restored St George’s Church is now an imposing white wonder.
This oldest Anglican Church in South-East Asia, and probably the largest in the country, has stood proudly in Farquhar Street, George Town, for close to two centuries.
Parish priest Venerable Charles Samuel said church volunteers were happy to offer guided tours to visitors by appointment.
“We’ve had some 10,000 visitors in the last eight months from so many different countries around the world,” he said.
Outside the church, the Francis Light Monument with its domed structure in the shape of a small Greek temple is popular among couples doing their wedding photography.
Colourful history: The mahagony tree on the grounds is as old as the church.
Constructed in 1824 in memory of Light and to celebrate the centenary of the founding of Penang in 1786, the memorial has a plaque that describes the island’s founder as a fatherly figure to the people.
The foundation of the church was laid in 1817 at the initiative of the Reverend Robert Sparke Hutchings (who also founded Penang Free School in 1816) and built under the auspices of Governor W.E. Philips and Colonel John Alexander Bannerman who were the highest-ranking British officers on the island then. It was completed in 1818.
As one enters the church’s main door, a commemorative inscription above the door indicates that the church was built by the East India Company (EIC).
The EIC maintained the building and appointed Church of England priests as Company Chaplains to serve its English and European members.
“The trading company was a proxy of the church.
“At that time, there were no missionaries to come to Asia so it was left to the traders to see to the religious needs of the community,” Ven Samuel said.
The RM1.8mil restoration project, under the National Heritage Department’s Ninth Malaysia Plan allocation, began in April last year and was completed in February.
St George’s Church treasurer and heritage liaison officer Roy Chai said Phase I of the restoration project entailed the re-plastering of the church walls, restoration of the old wooden doors and window frames, tower and steel spire.
“The entire building is cement-free — what you see today are bricks, wood and plaster, exactly like the original.
“Now we are looking to secure funding for Phase II which will involve landscaping work.
“We need about RM1.4mil and are hoping to receive some funds from Think City soon,” he said.
Chai said Phase II was to restore the heritage fencing wall around the church, prevent flooding on the grounds, install side gates and lighting, and general repairs.
St George’s Church is now one of the state’s most prized heritage attractions, and non-competition Starwalkers would be able to catch a glimpse of the grand building in their 6km walk around historic George Town.
The new route this year will feature sites like the Tan Kongsi, Clan Jetties, Logan Heritage, The Whiteaways Arcade, Customs Building (originally Malayan Railway Building), Wisma Yeap Chor Ee and the Acheen Street Malay Mosque.
The main sponsors for Penang Starwalk 2012 are YES and Genneva Malaysia (platinum), Medispec (gold) and Magnum, 100 Plus, Golden Screen Cinemas, Nikon, Pallas, Milo and BP Healthcare (silver) while the official venue provider is Penang Times Square and official transport provider is Rapid Penang.
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