Description of the attraction
St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral is a fine example of British Late Gothic, with every touch reminiscent of a typical Old England church.
It is located in the far northern part of Independence Square or Merdeka Square and is one of the oldest Anglican churches in Malaysia.
The first building of the Church of St. Mary was wooden, it was built in 1887 on the top of the Bukit Aman hill. There is now the headquarters of the royal police. For a small Anglican community of that time, a modest room was enough. With the increase in the British presence in Malaysia, the question of building a new cathedral arose. Funds for it were collected by the entire European society of Kuala Lumpur, even by representatives of other confessions. In early February 1894, the first stone laid by the British governor was consecrated by the Anglican bishop of West Malaysia. The selected church committee announced a competition for the best cathedral design. Ultimately, the design was approved by the government architect A. K. Norman - based on early English Gothic architecture.
The stone building of the church consists of a nave that can simultaneously accommodate about 180 parishioners. The octagonal altar covers an area of over 60 square meters, and the choir room can accommodate 20 people. In the middle of the 20th century, the cathedral was further expanded: a hall of anniversaries, offices for the clergy of the cathedral and living quarters for them were added to it.
The church was opened in 1895, and nine years later, an organ made by the famous Henry Willis, the British organist and creator of these instruments, was installed in it. This invaluable organ was badly damaged during the floods of 1925-1926. It was restored by James Riddell, supposedly a disciple of the Henry Willis and Sons dynasty. After the Second World War, this master again had to restore the organ.
In the old days, this beautiful church, decorated with stained glass windows and columns, received numerous European parishioners every Sunday. And today, traditional Sunday liturgies are held here for the now small Anglican diocese.
