Armenian Church

+6563340141
60 Hill Street
armeniansinasia.org/

Working hours: from 9.00 to 18.00

How to get there by Singapore MRT. Singapore interactive metro guide.

The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, whose elegant building stands in the city very center, is generally considered among the state’s most important historical monuments. It is the oldest Christian temple in Singapore and one of two Armenian churches that have been preserved in the South-East Asia. Recently, the building of the Cathedral of St Gregory the Illuminator was allowed the status of a national monument, therefore protected by state.

Armenians started to settle in Singapore back in the late 18th century, and after Singapore had been proclaimed British colony and became an open port, their number gradually started to grow. Nevertheless, in the early 19th century, the Armenian community was still an extremely negligible minority and numbered just 44 people. However, its representatives had managed to become famous and made their mark on the record of the city-state; none more so than the Sarkis brothers, who founded the legendary Hotel Raffles - a Singaporean national trademark nowadays. The Armenian scientist Agnes Joaquim hybridized the famous orchid genus, the flowers of which are officially recognized as Singapore’s national symbol. Additionally, the head of Armenian community Catchick Moses co-founded the first English newspaper in Singapore – The Straits Times. This remains one of the most influential editions in Asia to this day.

In 1833, the authorities allocated a plot of land for the temple’s building to Singaporean Armenians. The community spent two years collecting money for construction, but had only managed to raise just a half of the needed funds. However, Armenians from India, Chinese tradesmen and some Europeans helped to cobble together the outstanding amount. This meant that in 1835, an Armenian Church dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator finally appeared in Singapore's downtown and became the first Christian temple in the colony.

One of the most famous architects in the country, George Coleman, designed the architectural project. He built the church in British colonial style, but simultaneously added some traditional for ancient Armenian church forms. However, the temple was repeatedly rebuilt, gradually losing its original design elements. Ten years after church’s construction, it turned out that its structure was not architecturally sound, meaning that the round dome had to be replaced with sloping roof and the elegant quadrangle turret with its short spire appeared in place of the now demolished down bell tower. The Armenian Church acquired its modern look in the 1850s. The building was actually blue back then, as it received its modern, snow-white color very recently – after restoration in 1990s.

During the World War II, the members of the Armenian community had to leave the city, logically resulting in their temple becoming abandoned too. Divine services were only resumed in 1996, when the Church of the St Gregory the Illuminator became the center of Singapore Armenians’ spiritual life once more. Today, church’s premises are used for conducting concerts and exhibitions, as well as other events that popularize Armenian Culture.

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Reviews: 22
Cheen

Find charming photos hanging within the church walls, like this one with an extensive Armenian community ????

29.09.2022  
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Cheen

The 24 tombstones at the church’s Memorial Garden were rescued from the Bukit Timah Cemetery when that was being cleared for redevelopment

29.09.2022  
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Cheen

Memorial erected in 2015 to remember the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire during WW I. Deaths were estimated between 600K - 1.5M. Source: Wikipedia

29.09.2022  
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Cheen

Admire the various sculptures around the church grounds

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

Observing basic etiquette when visiting places of worship ????????

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

The pediment on the eastern portico (facing Hill St) is inscribed the date "1835", the year of the church's foundation. Source: Wikipedia

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

Did u know? The north, south & west porticos were designed to allow horse carriages to pull into the porches. Ladies may step directly into church without soiling their dresses. Source: Wikipedia

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

The church interior is circular. It is said to resemble the round Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge, England. Source: Wikipedia

29.09.2022  
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Cheen

It was designated as a national monument in 1973

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

The Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, referred locally as the Armenian Church, is the oldest Christian church in Singapore

29.09.2022  
0
Cheen

The tombstone of Agnes Joaquim – the person behind SG's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim – lies on church grounds. Her headstone inscription says “Let her own works praise her”. Source: Infopedia

23.06.2019  
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Elizabeth

Very peaceful church to soak up local history.

31.08.2016  
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Torzin S

This small church is good example of simply architectural style with Tuscan Order, the round interior is simply graceful and lovely. The decorative modern statues around the church are enchanting too.

15.01.2015  
1
Tyler

Not a ton to see here, but a unique church. Singapore's smallest church is built in the Armenian style which is a bit dark and atmospheric. The back is a bit more interesting with statues

20.10.2014  
0
Wotabout City Discovery App

Built in 1835, this is the second-oldest church in Singapore and one of the city’s finest historical landmarks

29.05.2014  
0
Go!Places

Agnes Joachim, the woman for who Singapore’s national flower is named, is buried here.

19.02.2014  
0
BaliBlogger.ru

Одна из самых старых церквей в Сингапуре - армянская.

12.05.2013  
1
TheEagerTraveller.com

Meditate at your own time and for my fellow tourists, you can capture the sunset in front of the main doors of the church.

05.03.2013  
2
J

Agnes Joachim, the woman SG's national flower is named after, is buried here.

27.12.2011  
6
Edward

Coptic Orthodox Mass at 9 on the first Sun on each month. come hear the language of the Pharoahs, for the Coptic Church is the only place where the old Egyptian language is still used!

06.02.2011  
3