“Flee or stay?” That was the urgent question facing villagers in Swatow China decades ago. Here we are at the Church of Saint Anthony. Its story begins with their harrowing escape.
In the late 1920s Catholic Teochews fled communist attacks. They sought refuge in Singapore. Father Stephen Lee cared for them. He was a parish priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
In 1933 the government gave land in Mandai to these refugees. They established Mandai Catholic Village there. They built a chapel. It was dedicated to Anthony of Padua. He was a saint devoted to the poor.
By 1960 Mandai’s Catholic community had grown. A larger church was built. Father Joachim Teng helped. The congregation kept expanding. By the late 1970s it served Woodlands residents.
The Mandai villagers were resettled in the late 1980s. Father John Khoo then helped build the present Church of Saint Anthony in Woodlands. It opened on April 23 1994. Archbishop Gregory Yong officiated.
Today the Church of Saint Anthony continues to serve Woodlands’ Catholic community. In 2019 and 2020 it was renovated. Twelve lanced arches were added to its facade. They symbolize the 12 apostles.
Look for the bronze statue of St Anthony at the entrance. Inside the worship hall is special. The altar table was used by Pope John Paul II. He celebrated Mass here in 1986.
Originally a small wooden chapel in Mandai the Church of St Anthony has moved a few times. In 1960 a new church replaced the chapel. Archbishop Mgr M. Olcomendy opened it.
The government issued a resettlement notice to Mandai residents in 1986. Father Khoo appealed for land in Woodlands. He wanted to relocate the church.
The new Church of Saint Anthony became a reality. It stands in Woodlands today. Archbishop Gregory Yong blessed it. The church can seat 2000 parishioners.
The parish has grown since then. It started as a small farming community of migrants. Now it has thousands of parishioners.
Many priests have served at the Church of Saint Anthony. Father Stephen Lee was one of the first. Father Terence Pereira served for 14 years. Father Ignatius Yeo is the current parish priest.
In 2014 an annex called the Fireplace was built. It provided more classrooms. Archbishop William Goh consecrated the church. He also blessed the Fireplace.
Extensive renovations took place. Masses were temporarily held in the Fireplace. Worship returned to the main church before Holy Week in 2019. Archbishop William Goh blessed the Church of Saint Anthony again.
Like many places the church faced challenges during the pandemic. Masses were suspended. Safety measures were put in place. The community spirit returned after restrictions eased.
The Church of Saint Anthony has a rich history. It began with refugees seeking safety. It has grown into a vibrant parish. It continues to serve the Catholic community in Woodlands.