Penang Churches can trace their origin from the time the British settled here to open the island as a free port. Within a few decades since the establishment of George Town, the first churches in Penang have already been built. In addition to the Church of England, which exists to this day as the St George's Anglican Church on Farquhar Street (Lebuh Farquhar), other communities were also building churches in Penang. This includes the Eurasian Catholics who fled Phuket to escape religious persecution. They were invited to settle in Penang. Among them was Martina Rozells, said to be Francis Light's wife.
The Catholic church was initially located in what is now Church Street (Lebuh Gereja), with the bishop dwelling at what is now Bishop Street (Lebuh Bishop). They eventually moved with the construction of the Church of Assumption, today the Cathedral of Assumption, along Lebuh Farquhar. In the earlier days, the congregation worshipping at the Church of Assumption lived along Argus Lane behind the church. Today the descendents of most of the Eurasians have left Penang to live elsewhere. Today, the churches in Penang are mostly attended by the locals, namely the Chinese and Indians who have embraced Christianity.
On this page, we attempt to show you as many of the Penang churches as we are able to, and will continue to add to this.
Burmah Road Gospel Hall Burmah Road
Cathedral of the Assumption Farquhar Street
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus Balik Pulau
Church of Our Lady of Sorrows Macalister Road
Church of the Immaculate Conception Pulau Tikus
St Anne Sanctuary Bukit Mertajam
St George's Anglican Church Farquhar Street
St Joseph's Novitiate Gurney Drive
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About the Author
Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, a Council Member of the Penang Heritage Trust. The information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct. We are not responsible for its usage. Text in this website is made available under terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. To contact us, write to:
