Christianity arrived on Malayan shores centuries ago, first through trade, then through conquest by European forces like the Portuguese and the Dutch in Melaka.

However, I think it’s fair to say that much of the landscape of Christianity as it is practiced today in modern Malaysia is thanks to the British — the last of the foreign forces that occupied Malaya. It is during British tenure that many churches in Malaysia were built – including St Michael, a Catholic church in Ipoh that dates back to the 1890s.

I’m fairly familiar with Ipoh since I come here every year to visit relatives, but it was only on my most recent trip that I got to step foot in St Michael. One of my best friends is a member of its congregation, and since I was talking to her about how I recently came to Christianity, she thought it would be nice to stop by for a visit.

Guess who welcomed us at the entrance? The resident doggo. Real sweetheart!

St Michael is built in the Gothic style and sports modest interiors. There’s a strong Chinese influence here, especially with the gazebo outside the main building, which looks more at home in a traditional Chinese temple. You’ll also find Chinese characters inscribed over the entrance, translated to “God is the Source of all Truth”.

Since we came during non-mass hours, the church was empty and we were able to spend a longer time admiring the space and architectural details – such as the quatrefoils on the mezzanine floor balcony, which are a common fixture of Gothic churches. The shape, which looks like a four-leaf clover, is often tied to the four gospels and their respective evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) which are central to the New Testament.

Decorative stained glass panels with floral motifs sit above the windows.

A closer look at the altar. In the central alcove is a figure of St Michael the Archangel, of whom the church is named after – clothed in a cape and armor while holding a sword. Two angels kneel on each side, and flanking the figure are intricate stained glass windows featuring more quatrefoils and biblical figures.

Right in front of the altar is an image of the Divine Mercy, part of the Divine Mercy devotion by Polish Catholic saint Faustina Kowalska. According to Sister Kowalska, she experienced apparitions of Jesus, and in one instance, Jesus appeared as he looks in the painting, with two rays of red and white light emanating from his chest. In her diary, she also wrote that Jesus spoke to her: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.”

Since Sister Kowalksa could not paint, it was three years before she could direct someone to help complete the image, which thereafter became one of the most popular imageries in the Catholic world.

Even the church has to evolve with the times – speakers and AV equipment were installed in 2022, so that the church could do livestreams of sermons and events.

Pope Francis had just passed not long before this visit, so there was a small altar setup in his remembrance.

Some other interesting facts about St Michael:

• It is the only church in Ipoh to have a first class relic of a Saint, the Italian saint Padre Pio, which they have kept since 2015.
• Malayan heroine and freedom fighter Sybil Kathigasu, who bravely resisted Japanese forces during WWII, is buried on the church grounds.

Planning a visit

See the church mass schedule here.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL

24, Jalan Gereja, 30300 Ipoh, Perak (across the road from Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall).

https://www.smcipoh.com/