Church Street, George Town

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Lebuh Gereja

Church Street, or Lebuh Gereja, is one of the streets within the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. Located within the Commercial District of 19th century George Town, it is one of the early streets to be laid in the town, and has appeared in the Popham Map of 1798.

The name Church Street was derived from the Catholic Missionary Church which was established by Father Arnold Garnault, who arrived with a group of Roman Catholics from Kuala Kedah to settle in Penang. They were invited over by Captain Francis Light himself. Following the clearing of land within the new settlement, the Catholics built their makeshift attap church on the plot bordered by Church Street, Bishop Street, China Street and Pitt Street. The church was only given the name Church of the Assumption when Father Garnault returned to Penang on 15 August 1787, as Bishop Garnault on the Feast of the Assumption, following his Episcopal ordination in Pondicherry, India.

The Church of the Assumption on Church Street was demolished in 1857. The present building of the Church of the Assumption on Farquhar Street was built to replace it.

In the 19th century, Church Street was inhabited by an increase number of Cantonese, who have their district and clan associations at or near it. The Chinese in Penang refer to Church Street as "Ghee Hin Street", as the secret society had its headquarters along Church Street. In late 19th century, around 1890, the Ghee Hin premises were taken over by the rival Hai San secret society, whose leader Kapitan China Chung Keng Kwee built his office, the Hai Kee Chan, on the site of the Ghee Hin headquarters, with the Chung Keng Kwee Ancestral Temple next to it.

Getting there

From Weld Quay Bus Terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld and turn right. Walk along Pengkalan Weld until you reach Gat Lebuh Gereja. Turn left into Gat Lebuh Gereja, walk its length. Lebuh Gereja is located across from Gat Lebuh Gereja at the junction of Lebuh Pantai.

Sights along Church Street

Pinang Peranakan Mansion (Hai Kee Chan)

Penang Heritage Trust

Chong San Wooi Koon (at King Street junction)

Click for list of Streets of George Town

In Other Words ...

Hokkien: Ghee Hin Kay (Ghee Hin Street)

Church Street (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Church Street Location Map

Photos of Church Street

Church Street sign (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Church Street plaque (12 November 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.