“Lost carpark found.” That headline captured a small victory for St Ignatius Church.
St Ignatius Church started as a humble chapel in Sungei Way in the 1960s. Jesuit Fr Edmund Sullivan ministered to the spiritual needs of Catholics there. The chapel quickly outgrew its space.
In May 1972, Fr Sullivan set up the SIC Building Fund Committee. The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur donated land at Taman Plaza for a new church in February 1973. The CDD Fathers agreed to donate a parcel of their land at Taman Plaza for a new Church. SIC became synonymous with the CDD Order.
Rev Fr Francis Ng assisted Fr Sullivan. He took charge of the chapel in August 1975 when Fr Sullivan’s health declined. Fr Francis spearheaded fundraising efforts for a new church.
Approval for the land conversion took 12 years. Construction began in June 1987. Along with the Church, a Parochial House and adjacent service quarters, a two-storey Training Centre was built.
The Training Centre could serve as a vocation center for the CDD. Parishioners and benefactors helped raise funds for the new church. The CDD provided an interest-free loan.
Archbishop Soter Fernandez blessed St Ignatius Church on November 3, 1988. Parishioners celebrated the fulfillment of their dreams. The premises were opened for viewing.
In 1994, Fr Joseph Chang launched a project for a multi-purpose Annexe to the Training Centre. Fr John Chia completed it. The Costantini Community Centre opened on April 20, 2003. It houses halls for seminars and two funeral parlours.
The Grotto to Our Lady was built in the mid-1990s. The church was air-conditioned in 2007. In 2010, the Parish Office relocated to a two-story space next to the Cafeteria. 154 new car park bays were added along the riverside behind the church in 2013.
The Sungei Way Chapel served parishioners until November 2005. The KL Archdiocese took over administration. A Community Centre now stands where the chapel was. It caters to migrant workers.
In late 2024, St Ignatius Church faced a challenge. A flood mitigation project threatened its carpark. The church had been using the land since 2012, with permission from the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID). A notice was issued to St Ignatius for removing structures. The church maintained it had permission to use the land.
A dialogue was needed to address the issue. The church’s lawyer emphasized the need for a holistic approach. The carpark helped minimize traffic congestion.
Fortunately, the issue was resolved. Only a few bays were affected by the river project. Some land would be returned for church parking after the project. The church was advised to apply for a temporary occupation license (TOL).
Today, St Ignatius Church continues to serve its community. It offers daily Masses and various ministries. The church is a beacon of faith in Petaling Jaya. Parishioners celebrate Fr Thomas Koo CDD’s 30th Sacerdotal Anniversary. They share the joy of their beloved Parish Priest.
Remember the story of St Ignatius Church. It’s a story of faith, community, and perseverance.