Church of the True Light, Singapore

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The Church of the True Light is an Anglican church in the Little India of Singapore. The building is located at the junction of Perak Road and Dickson Road. It was completed in 1952, and considered a full-fledged Anglican Church in 1963. The architecture of the building reflects strong Chinese influences.

Church of the True Light (10 July 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The history of the Church of the True Light goes back to 1911, when a missionary from the Church of England Zenanas Missionary Society, known only as Miss Apple, arrived in Singapore to conduct mission work among the Chinese population here, comprising mostly of Henghua and Hock Chew Chinese. She was aided by Guok Koh Muo, a 21-year-old journalist who started Bible classes at his friend's barber shop at Bencoolen Street. The number of Christian grew over time. They first used the name "Church of the True Light" when they moved from Bencoolen Street to another temporary premise, at a nunnery on Victoria Street. From they, the group continued to meet in different locations before settling at another premise at Jalan Besar.

The Church of the True Light has purchased a plot of land at the corner of Perak Road and Dickson Road, some time in the late 1930's, and was about to put up their church building, when the Second World War disrupted all activities, causing a delay in construction of about ten years. The church building at 25G Perak Road was only completed on 20 December 1952. At that time, it drew a congregation comprising mostly trishaw peddlers lviing in the vicinity. The church catered to their needs by offering free medical care and a kindergarten.

The Church was elevated to a full-fledged Anglican parish on 24 February 1963, with Guok Koh Muo recognized as its first vicar. Today it conducts services in English, Mandarin and Tamil to cater to its multi-lingual congregation. The church is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Contact

Church of the True Light
25G Perak Road, Singapore 208142
Tel/Hp : 62940797
Fax : 62955996
Email: truelite@singnet.com.sg

Getting there

Take the Singapore MRT East West Line to the Bugis MRT Station (EW12) or the North East Line to the Little Indian MRT Station (NE7) and walk from there.

Location Map of Church of the True Light

List of Churches in Singapore
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