Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessing our sky in Hougang is this beautiful church, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, constructed in 1901 in the Gothic style. It's the oldest Catholic church for the Teochew community in the area and its history intricately overlaps with the community. The church built a number of schools that helped educate generations of Singaporeans. The legacy of the church lives on as schools like Holy Innocents High School, Hai Sing Catholic School, Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Our Lady of the Nativity and Montfort School are still around today. Former students cherish memories of the brothers and sisters who taught at these schools...those were the days where principles of discipline and values were held high.

A closer look at the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of the church flanked by angels.

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st andrew's cathedral

Swissotel The Stamford, the tallest hotel in Singapore, to the left is a modern semi-spherical tower clad in stainless steel, while St Andrew's Cathedral to the right is a fine example of English Gothic architecture. The cathedral was built in 1861 by convict labour brought from India by British colonial rulers. It replaced the original building which first stood on this site before it was damaged by two lightning strikes and demolished in 1852.
A closer look at its lancet windows, turret-like pinnacles and decorated spire rising pointedly and looking alabaster white against the blue sky. Interesting to note that its outer surface was made of chunam plaster (blend of egg white, shell, lime sugar, coconut husk and water).
The present cathedral is under the auspices of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. The history of the Anglican church is intertwined with the history of Singapore. It ran much needed community hospitals and schools in old Singapore at the turn of the last century. Today, the Diocese administers a number of Anglican schools and the St Andrew's Community Hospital located in the East.

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