“Step back in time to 1710.” That’s when St Peter’s Church in Melaka was built. It stands as Malaysia’s oldest functioning Roman Catholic church. But the story of St Peter’s Church goes back even further.
Christianity arrived in Malaysia in the 7th century. Persian traders brought their faith. Later, Portuguese, Dutch and British colonizers expanded Christianity between the 16th and 19th centuries. Many churches were built as symbols of faith.
The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1641. Catholics faced persecution. Churches were destroyed. Catholics couldn’t have cemeteries. They were not allowed to pray at home. Priests could not minister to their flock.
But things changed. The Dutch and Portuguese formed an alliance in 1703. This was during the War of the Spanish Succession. The Dutch softened their stance towards Catholics. In 1710, St Peter’s Church was built. A Dutch gentleman named Maryber Franz Amboer donated the land.
St Peter’s Church showcases a mix of eastern and western architecture. One of its bells was cast in Goa, India in 1608. It was salvaged from an older church burned down by the Dutch.
Inside St Peter’s Church, find an alabaster statue. It depicts the Lord Before The Resurrection. In the churchyard, there is a statue of Mary. It is a landmark for all Catholic Churches. The statue was erected in 1985. This marked the 275th anniversary of St Peter’s Church.
The grounds of St Peter’s Church feature an interesting landscape. It depicts Jesus asking Peter to walk across the water. Visitors are invited to walk across the water feature.
St Peter’s Church is the center of religious celebrations. Holy Week is especially important. The church is the mother church. Many descendants of the Portuguese community have worshiped here for 300 years.
St Peter’s Church was likely a simple structure at first. Written accounts describe it as poorly maintained. Walls were low. Wooden pillars supported an attap roof. But improvements were made over time.
The church was rebuilt around 1780 and again in 1818-1819. Further additions were made in the 19th century. Today, St Peter’s Church stands as a testament to faith. It represents resilience and cultural heritage.