Bethel Presbyterian Church

Have you heard of the Hougang Church? It’s the precursor to what we now know as Bethel Presbyterian Church. Right here, where this building stands, a small chapel once served the Teochew-speaking Christian community. Bethel Presbyterian Church traces its roots back to 1883. It was a time when Singapore’s landscape was vastly different. Imagine Upper Serangoon Road, not as the bustling thoroughfare we know today, but a quieter, more rural area. That’s where the Hougang Church began its journey, under the guidance of Rev J.A.B Cook, sent by the English Presbyterian Mission. The church’s early days were marked by growth and change. The original chapel eventually made way for a new structure. In 1931, the congregation consisted of just 18 members. By 1935, the church building had become unsafe and was demolished. The congregation then met in the preacher’s attap house. The church’s name officially changed from Hougang Church to Bethel Church sometime between 1935 and 1960. The acquisition of the Min Sin School property in 1960 marked a significant turning point. Bethel Presbyterian Church began holding services in the school hall. This paved the way for the construction of a new sanctuary, which was dedicated in 1969. Bethel Presbyterian Church has not only been a place of worship, but also a center of education and community service. It oversaw Min Sin Primary School and later, Li Sun High School, which eventually became Presbyterian High School. Even today, Bethel Presbyterian Church operates Bethel Day Care Centre and Bethel Preschool, continuing its tradition of service and education.