(From left) Cheah, Anglican Churches’ Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia Rev Steven Abbarow and Sivashankari cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony of St Mary’s visitors’ centre.
ST MARY’S Cathedral, a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur, celebrated the 130th anniversary of its foundation stone with the opening of its new visitors’ centre.
This latest addition to the national heritage site offers the public a free immersive journey into the church’s rich history.
The visitors’ centre, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm except on public holidays, features a permanent exhibition showcasing pivotal moments in the cathedral’s history from 1887 to 2024.
Rare photographs and detailed timelines adorn the walls, transporting visitors back through 130 years of the church’s legacy.
At the centre’s inauguration, St Mary’s Cathedral dean Very Reverend Dr Andrew Cheah expressed hopes for the new space.
“This visitors’ centre is more than just an exhibit: it is a commitment to preserving our Christian heritage within Malaysia’s diverse cultural landscape.
“We aim to welcome and educate the community and visitors from around the world, deepening their connection to our cathedral’s mission and history,” said Cheah.
Think City grants manager for the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Culture District, Sivashankari Yomarakuro who spoke at the event, highlighted the cathedral’s role as a silent witness to the history of Kuala Lumpur.
She said Think City’s involvement stemmed from a broader mandate to revitalise the historic core of downtown Kuala Lumpur, transforming it into a creative and vibrant hub through collective partnership and grants.
“In 2023, Think City supported St Mary’s Cathedral through our Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme.
“Our focus extended beyond the physical restoration to include documenting the cathedral’s heritage significance and the pivotal events that have shaped its legacy,” said Sivashankari.
The launch event also saw the introduction of a 93-page booklet – A Snapshot in History – that chronicled the church’s journey from its founding in 1887 to present day.
The book’s chief editor and project lead for the visitors’ centre, Stanley Lee Wai Jin said producing the booklet and accompanying brochure was a 10-month effort.
While the brochure will be available for free at the centre, the booklet is offered for a recommended minimum donation of RM15, with all proceeds going towards the cathedral’s ongoing maintenance.
The opening of the visitors’ centre coincided with the cathedral’s most significant restoration project to date.
The 129-year-old main building, home to the 130-year-old foundation stone, is undergoing extensive roof repairs.
Yvonne Leong, an architect and member of the cathedral’s building board, said that while Think City partially funded the restoration, the project faced challenges because of termite damage in the wooden trusses.
“Given the cathedral’s status as a national heritage site, we must use original construction methods from 130 years ago to repair the roof trusses, including sourcing salvaged old timber that closely matches the Grade A merbau wood used in the original structure,” said Leong.
She emphasised the need for additional funds, with the total cost estimated at over RM500,000, urging the community to contribute to the historic restoration effort.
