Can a church be a school? At Geylang Chinese Methodist Church, it absolutely was. Geylang Chinese Methodist Church has a fascinating history intertwined with education. The church, established in 1905 as a Gospel House in Geylang, played a crucial role in providing education to the underprivileged children of the area. In its early years, the church building itself served as a makeshift school. Imagine children attending classes in the very space where hymns were sung on Sundays. In 1924, Geylang Methodist Girls School (GMGS) officially began its journey within the walls of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church. The church’s parsonage became the first classroom. Twenty-seven girls, wearing their everyday clothes, formed the first student body, taught by a single, dedicated teacher, Mrs. Chai. The church not only provided physical space but also invaluable supervision and support to the fledgling school in those resource-scarce times. The church’s missionaries and pastors nurtured both spiritual and educational growth. This close relationship continued as the church and school moved to the site of the present-day Aljunied MRT station in 1927. New classrooms were built, but the link between the church and the school remained strong. Even after GMGS evolved into the co-educational Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) in 1984 and moved to its current location, Geylang Chinese Methodist Church continued its support. In 2010, the church generously donated a substantial sum for air conditioning in the school hall. This hall, now known as Friendship Hall, stands as a testament to the enduring bond between Geylang Chinese Methodist Church and the school it birthed. The church continues to be involved in student welfare and character building. It’s a living example of a faith community deeply invested in the future of its young people.
Seah Eu Chin
Consider this a rags-to-riches story. Seah Eu Chin’s life is a morality tale. It is economic history. Seah Eu Chin