History

STROLLING ALONG MEMORY LANE

The earliest Christian influence in the region goes back to the Nestorian settlements in the 7 th Century. Catholic visitors and diplomats passed through the Straits of Malacca in the 13 th Century before the Sultanate was founded. When Malacca was developed in the 15 th century, there was an influx of Christians from the Eastern churches of West Asia. Churches were built. The French priests and nuns played a significant role. The French priests were mainly responsible for bringing Christianity to Penang.

BIRTH OF THE PARISH

The Catholics who had dispersed into the suburbs of Georgetown during the Japanese occupation remained put after the war. Meanwhile, new townships and large housings estates began sprouting in the suburbs from Green Lane to the airport. In 1958, when Fr. Surmon MEP returned from his leave in Europe, he was informed by the then Bishop of Penang, the late Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, to establish a new Catholic community in Green Lane area in Penang.

Fr. Surmon who was entrusted with this task , took up residence at Little Sisters of the Poor and started gathering his flock of mix races, which numbered 1000.This community was known ‘parish without church’.

They celebrated mass on Sundays and feast days for 10 years at the canteen of the Green Lane Convent. After 10 years of hard work of collecting funds and discussing plans for a new church with the help of some advisors such as Mr. Gerry Reutens, and later of an building committee (1966 – 1973), a piece of land was bought some distance of the main thoroughfare; another piece was added on with the help of Rt. Rev Mother Tarcisius of the IJ Sisters and it was used as a play field and a car park. At the beginning it was decided that the new church would be dedicated to St. Bernadette since that year (1958) was the centenary of Our Ladys’ apparition to Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858. Later on the Vatican II and around 1962, the late Bishop Francis Chan was agreeable to the suggestion that the name to be changed to the Church of Holy Spirit.

 

The church was conceived as a modern circular building with congregation gathered around the altar. The building started taking shape on a plot of land about 400 meters away from the Green Lane Convent. The long awaited hope of Fr.Surmon and his generous flock materialized in 1969 when Bishop Gregory Yong blessed the church on the 25 th of May, the feast of Pentcost

 

The church bell which was donated by the family of Fr. Surmon rang out with joy.

The first baptism in the new church was recorded in May 1968.

The parochial house and the community hall were also completed and a playing field was acquired. The budding parish began to grow. Services in English, Mandarin Tamil and Bahasa were conducted. Parishioners got enthusiastically involved in the various ministries in the church.

From Church to Cathedral

In September 2002, the Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia, Archbishop Adriano Bernardini issued a decree “That the Church in honour of the Holy Spirit in the city of Penang be elevated to the dignity and the status of a CATHEDRAL CHURCH, with all the rights, honours and privileges as well as duties and obligations attached to this kind of church”.

  

The relic of Blessed Nicholas Kitbamrung , a Thai martyr was enshrined at the brand new altar. Two large wooden doors with side lites finished with beautiful stained glass with angels bearing the words “ Be still and Know I am God “ Psalm 46:10 welcome the worshippers. The Rite of the Dedication of the new Cathedral was on the 20 th January 2003.

 

  

  

PARISH PRIESTS  

NAME	YEAR
Fr. M Surmon MEP	1958 – 1970
Fr. A Besson(Asst) MEP	1969 – 1970
Fr. James Chan	1970 – 1972
Fr. A Besson (Asst) MEP	1970 – 1971
Fr. M De Gigord (Asst) MEP	1970 – 1972
Fr. Peter Shyu (Asst)	1971 – 1973
Fr. Peter Shyu	1973 – 1974
Fr. Francis Lui (Asst)	1973 – 1974
Fr. Benedict Liew (Asst)	1973 – 1975
Fr. Paul Decroix MEP	1974 – 1984
Fr. A Julien (Asst) MEP	1976 – 1985
Fr. A Dorret	1984 – 1992
Fr. Martin Lam (Asst)	1987 – 1991
Fr. Paul Chin(Asst)	1991 – 1992
Fr. Paul Chin	1992 – 1999
Fr. Charles Chin	1999 – 2000
Msgr. Stephen Liew, V.G	2000 – 2005
Fr. Francis Anthony	2005…
Fr. Henry L. Rajoo (Asst)	2005…

PRESENT PARISH PRIEST

Father Francis Anthony is the parish priest of the Cathedral. He was a lecturer and formator in College General for twenty four years. The assistant Parish Priest is Father Henry Rajoo.