Worships - Saint Teresa Church

Worships - Saint Teresa Church (2022 0709)

Address: 510 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 099446

1°16'23.9"N 103°49'41.1"E (1.273316, 103.828070)

Gazette Date: Date 11 Nov 2009

Construction 1927 – 1929

Architects Sketches – Reverend Father Jean M. Ouillon; Final Design – Emile Brizay of Brossard & Mopin

Getting There:

MRT Outram Park (EW16/NE3) Exit H (New Bridge Road)/Outram Park Stop ID: 05069 board bus 124/143 and alighting at Melati Blk 2 Stop ID: 10399

The Church of Saint Teresa is the only Catholic building in Singapore featuring the Romano-Byzantine style, which is defined by the extensive use of grand domes, cupolas, and arches. Reverend Father Jean M. Ouillon, the Procurator of the MEP in Singapore, was deeply inspired by the architecture of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre, Paris, France, when he drew the initial sketches of the church’s design.

Defining the church’s exterior is an imposing dome that caps the sanctuary. A pair of towers topped by twin cupolas flanks the main entrance. Windows on the sides of the church are set within triple arches and are adorned with decorative designs comprising a cross within a circle. Such fenestration, together with the clerestory windows, provided ventilation for the church interior before air-conditioners were installed.

 

The most outstanding feature inside the church is the ciborium (canopy) over the high altar, which is crowned by a cupola. Supported by tall columns, each of the pediments at the top of the impressive structure has a circular wreath design in the centre. Within the wreath are four Greek letters: a chi (‘X’) superimposed on a rho (‘P’), forming the Chi Rho, which is a symbol referring to Jesus Christ; and an alpha (‘A’) and omega (‘Ω’) at the sides, which represent the idea of God being the beginning and the end.

Behind the altar are three stained-glass windows with six panels each. The French-made panels depict the key events from the life of Saint Teresa of Lisieux and were contributed by Reverend Father Ouillon; Reverend Father Nicolas J. Couvreur, a retired Procurator of the MEP; and David Wee Cheng Soon, a charitable parishioner.