Curious how Singapore’s oldest Christian church stands as a testament to a community’s enduring legacy? The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator is more than just a building. It embodies the spirit and contributions of the Armenian people to Singapore.
This church. completed in 1836. is located at 60 Hill Street. Singapore. It stands as a beacon of history and faith. The Armenian Church was designated a national monument in 1973. Its story began long before its physical structure took shape.
In 1819. Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a trading port. Armenians were among the first merchants to arrive. By 1821. they were holding religious services. Reverend Krikor Hovhannes. also known as Gregory John. arrived in 1827. A temporary chapel was established. It was located behind John Little and Company at Commercial Square. now Raffles Place.
The community started fundraising in 1827 for a proper church. Over half the construction cost was donated by Armenians in Singapore. Contributions also came from Armenians in Java and India. Even European and Chinese merchants chipped in. Despite their small numbers. the Armenian community’s contribution was considerable.
In 1833. the Armenian community requested land to build their church. The government granted them land at the foot of Fort Canning in 1834. The foundation stone was laid on 1 January 1835. The Supreme Archimandrite Reverend Thomas Gregorian did the honors. He opened and consecrated the Armenian Church on Easter Sunday in 1836. He was assisted by Reverend Khachig Hovhannes.
The Armenian Church is dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator. He was the first Patriarch of the Armenian Church. George Drumgoole Coleman designed the Armenian Church. He was also the architect for many of Singapore’s early buildings. The Armenian Church has undergone a few modifications. A bell turret designed by Coleman was deemed unsound. It was replaced by a square tower in 1847. In 1853. the spire as we see it today was erected. George Maddock designed it.
Interestingly. the Armenian Church was the first building in Singapore with electricity in 1909. As the Armenian population dwindled. the last Armenian parish priest departed in the late 1930s.
When the Christian Cemetery at Fort Canning was cleared in the late 1960s. Armenian tombstones were moved to the Memorial Garden here. Tombstones from Bukit Timah-Cavenagh Road cemetery were also moved. Prominent Armenians are memorialized here. Agnes Joaquim. who bred Singapore’s national flower. is among them. Catchick Moses. founder of the Straits Times. is also remembered. The Memorial Garden was never used as a burial ground.
Armenian Street is named after this church. It was once known by its Chinese name. Seng poh sin chu au meant the back of Seng Poh’s new building. The Armenian Church was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973.
In 2016. the Armenian Church received a grant from the Singapore government for restoration. Fr Zaven Yazichyan was appointed to serve as the Pastor. He visits Singapore five or six times a year to serve mass.
The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator stands not only as a historical landmark. but as a symbol of faith. resilience. and the enduring contributions of a small community that left an indelible mark on Singapore.