Protestant Cemetery

Perkuburan Protestan Pulau Pinang

The Protestant Cemetery at Northam Road (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) is the oldest Christian cemetery in Penang. It holds some of the oldest graves on the island (though not necessarily the oldest, as there may be unnamed Muslim graves, especially along Sungai Pinang which are older than the British settlement itself).

The Protestant Cemetery was created to bury the early British colonial administrators, traders as well as missionaries that have arrived in Penang since its establishment by Captain Francis Light in 1786. Francis Light's grave, also within the cemetery, is one of the oldest there. Francis Light's business partner James Scott, was also buried at the cemetery, as well as members of his family. Some of the early governors of Penang, were also buried in the cemetery. I have been able to identify a number of these graves - many of which have lost their inscriptions to time - and provide below a list of the individuals buried there.

The Protestant Cemetery was used until the late 19th century, when the Western Road Cemetery was created on a bigger piece of land, and new burials were done there. Since then, the Protestant Cemetery ceased to accept new burials.

Tombs at the Protestant Cemetery

Most of the graves at the Protestant Cemetery are built as squarish tombs. The following are the tombs of some of the individuals buried there that I have been able to identify.

Other Historical Personalities Buried at the Protestant Cemetery

John Alexander Bannerman (1758-1819)
Colonel John Alexander Bannerman was the Governor of Penang from 1817-1819. The St George's Church was completed during his term.
Reverend Hutchings (1782-1827)
Reverend Sparke Hutchings was the leader of the St George's Church who founded the Penang Free School.
Thomas Leonowens (1828-1859)
Husband to Anna Leonowens, the lady who was hired by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to tutor his children, resulting in her romanticised account which was made famous as "The King and I".
William Edward Philips (1782-1827)
W.E. Philips purchased the property of Captain Francis Light, on which Suffolk House stands. (It is still a debate whether Suffolk House was built by Light or by Philips). Philips also acted as the Governor of the Penang for a few terms, within his own capacity as well as acting on behalf of another. His wife Janet, the daughter of John Alexander Bannerman, was buried with him.

Getting there

Take the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 7 (Lebuh Muntri Station), located along Penang Road at the junction of Muntri Street. From there, walk north along Penang Road until junction of Northam Road. Turn left at Northam Road, walk a short distance and you will find the Protestant Cemetery on your left.