It stands serene and stately, to the left of well-manicured lawns in Singapore’s Hougang district. One of the island-nation's national monuments, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a fascinating yarn woven into the rich tapestry of the country's history.
One of Singapore’s oldest Catholic churches, and the oldest for its Teachew community of Serangoon, it is simply referred to as the Church of the Nativity
The belfry tower which is capped with a green spire and crowned by an ornate brass cross, looms tall over the landscape of the district. However, the present European inspired Neo-Gothic style church, designed by a priest named Charles Benedict Nain, had humble beginnings as a thatched roof chapel when it was built in 1853.
Transformation
The house of worship which was erected to cater to a small community of fishermen, farmers and rubber tappers, transformed into a moderate brick church, St.Mary’s Chapel, to serve the needs of a growing populace.
A new and much larger church, 128 ft. long by 46 ft. wide with a height of 152 ft. that included the Cross, came into existence in 1901 to accommodate greater numbers of worshippers. Its construction was personally supervised by the then parish priest, Jean Casimir Saleilles. However, the size of the white-facade church as it stands today in the shape of a Latin cross, is more than double the measure of the edifice built in 1901, and includes a sanctuary and sacristy.
The structure is an exquisite example of the legacy left behind by French Catholic missionaries in South-East Asia. Twin white metal gates open into a significant sprawl. Between the gate and the entranceway to the main church, we are greeted by the iconic marble statue of Virgin Mary standing atop a pedestal, flanked by figurines of angels. The semi-circular arrangement of the images is interspersed with a plethora of greens and flowering plants. Rose windows adorn the facade of the twin transepts and belfry. History records the idol of Virgin Mary as having been gifted by the Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, and installed at the church in December 1947.
Good ventilation
The interior of the church which allows mellow natural light to flood in, boasts high vaulted ceiling. Ornamental fanlights with simple gothic tracery top its lancet-shaped doors and bay windows around the church, making for good ventilation. The heavy, timber-crafted doors display herringbone designs while the lower windows are timber-framed and have double-leaf, louvred shutters.
Two rows of stately Corinthian columns flank the central aisle and lancet-shaped niches are carved into the walls on the side aisles. Sculptures of saints are enshrined in these alcoves. An impressive and striking feature is the Sanctuary which is bathed in the coloured light of five stained-glass windows that serve as background. These portray episodes from the Bible. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception housing the statue of Mary, flank the Sanctuary. Exquisitely sculpted statues of saints in mellow tones adorn the walls of the transept while the nave also contains the tombs of five priests.
The church lawns boast statues of saints and other engravings. The tranquil environs combined with simple yet splendid architecture and aesthetic decor, add to the allure of the edifice, as a tourist attraction.
