Malaysia’s Ten Most Beautiful Churches

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A land of many faiths, Malaysia is no stranger to houses of worship of all shapes and sizes.

From the elegant minarets and domes of Islamic mosques to the cavernous roofs and eaves of Buddhist and Daoist temples or even the elaborate gopuram gates of Hindu temples – there’s no shortage of rich and fascinating architecture around here.

However, there’s also one place of worship that usually flies under the radar – Christian churches!

Famed for their gleaming marble facades and towering spires (save for a few famous exceptions), churches in Malaysia are some of the most photogenic of our many heritage buildings.

So, in the spirit celebrating the upcoming Good Friday and Easter Sunday with our fellow Malaysians, let us take a look at some of the prettiest churches in Malaysia!

But first, a brief history lesson!

Christianity in Malaysia: A Quick Look

Contrary to popular belief, Christianity in Malaysia did not first arrive in Malaysia with the Portuguese, Dutch or British colonizers.

In fact, there is evidence of Persian and Armenian Christians before and during the Malaccan Sultanate, who no doubt rested or even settled in Malacca throughout their journeys into China and India on the Maritime Silk Road.

During Portuguese and then Dutch colonization, the spread of Christianity was usually limited by more pragmatic economic interests – with only a few notable churches and congregations being built.

But during the British era, a wave of churches began to be built to mainly serve the new European arrivals, particularly in the new colonial settlements of Penang and Singapore.

Similarly, in Sarawak, the Brooke dynasty established Anglican missionaries and churches, resulting in Sarawak having the largest number of Christians as in Malaysia as of 2020, at around 50% of the population.

The Post-Pangkor Treaty era would see the height of Christianity in Malaya, with increasing numbers of Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic churches serving the newly arrived Chinese and Indian labourers. Accordingly, some of these churches began to be led by people from these very communities.

Fast forward past the tumultuous decades of pre- and post-Merdeka (Independence), the era of stone churches and European church leadership has long gone.

But in its place, the Malaysian Christian community continues to live and thrive, sometimes in the very same ornate and fascinating churches that have watched Malaya transform into Malaysia over the centuries.

Here are some of the most noteworthy and beautiful examples of these churches:

Note: While snapping shots or taking selfies, remember to respect the sanctity of the church and any existing dress codes! Don’t become a nuisance and an unfortunate statistic of overtourism!

Christ Church, Malacca

While most churches in Malaysia come in pristine white or muted off-white colours, the Christ Church of Melaka bucks the trend with its vibrant and iconic purplish-red façade.

But did you know that this wasn’t always the case?

First built by the Dutch in 1741 and completed in 1753, the Bovenkerk Church served the colonial Dutch community until the handover to the British 1824, when it was renamed the Christ Church.

It was then in 1911 that the church and the surrounding Stadhuys building were painted red, cementing its status as an icon of Melaka’s and Malaysia’s heritage. It is arguably a huge part of the reason why Melaka was designated a joint Malaysian UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Georgetown.

In the modern day, the church still conducts services in both English and Mandarin among the interior’s ancient stone floors and inscriptions.

Address: Gereja Christ, Jalan Gereja, Banda Hilir, 75000 Malacca
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ccm1753/

St. Peter’s Church, Melaka

Considered the oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia that’s still in active use, Melaka’s St. Peter’s Church presents an austere yet comforting façade to visitors.

Born in 1710 out of a thaw in relations between the old Portuguese Catholics and incoming Dutch Protestants, the church boasts a façade that blends both the entrance and a belltower. On its marble white surface, the year of its foundation and the old Portuguese crest is emblazoned.

Inside, a majestic vaulted wooden roof looks over worshippers alongside sturdy columns, a few stained-glass windows and the ornate altar.

Address: 166, Lorong Bendahara, Kampung Bukit China, 75100 Melaka
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stpetersmalacca/

Church of the Assumption, Penang

Going north to our very own mini Notre Dame, the Church of the Assumption was Penang’s first Catholic church built way back in 1787.

The church is noted for its twin towers that call back to some of Europe’s finest Catholic cathedrals and impressively vaulted interiors that give it an airy atmosphere.

It was previously the Seat of Penang’s Catholic Bishop for almost 50 years, before it was relocated to the uniquely tent-shaped Holy Spirit Cathedral.

Today, due to dwindling Catholic numbers in Penang, the church has been reorganized under the City Parish umbrella of churches, offering daily Mass to its followers.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cityparishpg/

Address: Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang

St. George’s Anglican Church, Penang

The oldest church in Southeast Asia that follows the English Anglican tradition, St. George’s Anglican Church is an architectural rarity among Malaysian churches.

Constructed in 1818, the church is fronted by an impressive Greco-Roman entrance supported by Doric columns. This already grand façade is further adorned by an eye-catching octagonal steeple that soars towards the heavens before being crowned with a Christian cross.

An often-underappreciated aspect of this church is the small lawn in front of the building, which gives it a pastoral vibe that welcomes both spiritual seekers and photography enthusiasts. The Francis Light Memorial on the lawn also draws those with historical curiosities.

Address: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOfficialStGeorgesChurchPenang/

All Saints Church, Perak

Besides being the first church built in the Federated Malay States, Perak’s All Saints Church is remarkably one of the few all-wooden churches that has survived mostly unchanged throughout Malaysia’s history.

Its construction of meranti wood panels with hardwood frames supports a steeply sloping roof, a style that recalls the half-timber medieval buildings of Europe.

Inside, a cavernous interior that leads to a central stained window, bringing spiritual serenity to this slice of Taiping.

Address: Jalan Taming Sari, Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak

Catholic Church of The Holy Rosary, Kuala Lumpur

If there’s one church that most Klang Valley folk have probably seen, then it must be Kuala Lumpur’s Catholic Church of The Holy Rosary.

Located right outside the central rail hub of KL Sentral station, many riders looking eastward on the Kelana Jaya LRT Line would have undoubtedly caught sight of the church’s unique Gothic architecture.

The church boasts gleaming steeples and spires supported by exaggerated arches and gables – all accented by beautiful geometry and even Chinese calligraphy.

The church only gets prettier inside with a multitude of stained-glass windows that surround worshippers in a divine glow.

Address: Holy Rosary Church, 10, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Official Website: http://www.hrckl.com/

Curious about more KL heritage? Then check out REXKL: From Cinematic Ruin to Bohemian Rebirth and see how an abandoned cinema transformed itself into a hipster hotspot.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur

Nestled in a corner of Merdeka Square, St. Mary’s Cathedral was originally located on the grounds of the Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters at Bukit Aman before being relocated to its current site in 1893.

Although it looks like a manor straight out of the English countryside, its low walls and large roof actually conceal a massive, long hall that can seat up to 200 worshippers and choir members.

A notable aspect of the church is its altar wing. From the outside, its tall, white walls look like the walls of a castle keep; on the inside, the cloistered wing creates an eye-catching focal point for worship.

Address: Jalan Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Official Website: https://stmaryscathedral.org.my/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryscathedralkl

St. Peter’s Church, Sarawak

Unlike most of the heritage entries on this list, the St. Peter’s Church, Sarawak is a 21^st century palace to faith that only recently opened its doors to worshippers on Christmas 2024.

Outside, this rectangular palatial church hall is flanked by two large clocktowers. Within its gleaming walls, the huge, bright interior space is home to chandeliers and ornate vaults that really bring a heavenly vibe to Mass.

The church is especially beautiful at night, when it’s strategically lit stained glass windows give the entire impressive church a majestic glow.

Address: Lorong Central Timur 3a, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak
Official Website: https://stpeterschurchkuching.org/#welcome
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562572318999&mibextid=ZbWKwL

St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Sarawak

Located in the state capital of Kuching, St. Joseph’s Cathedral must be one of the most architecturally distinctive churches in Malaysia.

Featuring a series of sloping triangle roofs that look at home on one of Sarawak’s famous longhouses, it also bears many influences from the forward-looking architectural styles of the 1960s from when it was built.

The triangular inspirations continue further within its interiors, with an all-encompassing triangular wooden canopy and stained-glass window that coalesce around a three-pointed altar area – reminding all who visit about the Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.

Address: 1, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Taman Budaya, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stjosephskuching/

St Michael’s & All Angels Church, Sandakan

Out in the western end of Sandakan stands one of the coastal city’s most recognizable landmarks – St Michael’s & All Angels Church.

Although it appears to have an all-brick construction, the entire building was actually made out of granite stone for economic and aesthetic reasons, giving it an austere yet surprisingly pleasing appearance.

This cozy feeling extends to the interior, where stone arches, high wooden ceilings and warm lighting create a scene that wouldn’t look out of place in a certain fictional school of wizardry.

Address: 51, Jalan Puncak, Pusat Bandar Sandakan, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelchurch.sdk/

Looking for more serene and picturesque places of worship? Then how about checking out our guide to Vienna’s historical and cultural heritage, which includes many churches! Or if you’re feeling particularly patriotic, why not plan a trip to one of Malaysia’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Links

A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN MALAYSIA – John Roxborogh
https://roxborogh.com/sea/country/shmalaysia.htm

All Saints Church – Tourism Perak
https://www.tourismperakmalaysia.com/all-saints-church/

In Sarawak, St Peter’s Church looks impressive during lighting mock-up – MalayMail
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/06/20/in-sarawak-st-peters-church-looks-impressive-during-lighting-mock-up/75467