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Armenian Church

The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, is in the central district, located at Hill Street and bounded by Armenian Street and High Street. It was built by G. D Coleman in 1835, making it the oldest church building in Singapore. It was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973. Although a small community, the Armenians were able to procure land early for the building of this classical structure.

History
The Armenian community in Singapore, which hardly numbered more than 100, had been holding religious services since the early 1820s. With the arrival of the first resident priest Rev. Gregory ter Johannes, in July 1827, a temporary chapel was set up. The first service was held in a room behind John Little & Co. and by September, this makeshift arrangement had moved to a small rented room at Merchant Square. The Armenians collected subscriptions to build a church for themselves in 1827. By 1833, an appeal was made for land to build a church, with the sandy grounds at the foot of Fort Canning finally approved as an ideal site in 1834. The foundation stone was blessed by the Supreme Archimandrite, the Rev. Thomas Gregorian on 1 January 1835 and by 26 March 1836, it was consecrated by the priest Rev. Catchick in a three-and-a-half hour ceremony. It was dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator, the first monk in the Armenian Church. Built at a total cost of $5,058.30 Spanish pesetas, most of the funds came from the local Armenian community.

In 1909, the Church became the first in Singapore to enjoy the benefits of electricity when it had electric lights and fans installed. During World War II, looters stripped the church of several invaluable items including a large embossed Bible, the priest's vestments and hymn and prayer books printed in the mid-19th century. The grounds were also used by the Japanese for air-raid shelters. After the Japanese occupation, few Armenians remained and services were conducted only once a year by Father Aramais Mirzaian was not based in Singapore.

Today, only during significant events are Armenian services held here including the 150th anniversary of the church held in 1986. However, the church building is still popular with other Christian groups who use it for quiet worship.

Description
The church is considered G. D. Coleman's masterpiece cleverly combining the symmetry of Palladian architecture with the practical details of Eastern architecture like louvers and wide verandahs. Its original design is considered a close resemblance to the mother church of St Gregory in Etchmiadzin, Vagarshapat in northern Armenia. Complying with tradition, the chapel faces East but this unfortunately meant that its entrance faced away from the main road. The porticoes are often regarded as one of its outstanding features, held up by Roman Doric columns and pilasters. Originally serving to shelter the gharries of the well-to-do, it was later converted for pedestrians with steps added to it. In 1847, the octagonal cone supporting a bell turret was replaced after the original dome had been deemed unsafe but the turret and steeple was again replaced in 1853 with today's pitched roof and spire, built by George Maddock. Maddock's spire is often criticised for hiding the church's true Armenian features - but its distinctive circular shape is still evident from the interior. Reflecting its original domed roof, the interior is a complete circle, 36 ft or about 11 m in diameter with a semi-circular chancel 18 ft or 5.5 m wide on the east. By the altar stands a painting of the Last Supper while draped to its side are heavy curtains that are drawn across during parts of the rites for Holy Communion. Despite its small size, the church has two vestries and two side rooms for staircases. The bell was cast by George Mears and Co. in 1861 but was likely hung only from 1883.

The original Parsonage, where the priest resided, was built in the northeast side of the gardens. However, this was demolished and a new Parsonage was built in 1905, designed by Tomlinson & Lermit, funded by Nanajan Sarkies in memory of John Shanazar Sarkies, Nanajan's husband. The Church's Memorial Garden hold the tombstones of famed Armenians including Agnes Joaquim

Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, 60 Hill Street, Singapore 179366.
Completed: 1836.
Architect: George Drumgold Coleman.
Owner: The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory The Illuminator Trust.
Gazetted as a national monument: 6 July 1973.
Preservation Architects: Quek Associates.



Author
Bonny Tan



References 
Edwards, N., & Keys, P. (1988). Singapore: A guide to buildings, streets, places (pp. 365-366). Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: RSING 915.957 EDW)

Hancock, T. H. H. (1986). Coleman's Singapore (pp. 70 - 79). Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
(Call no.: SING 720.924 COL.H)

Liu, G. (1996). In granite and chunam: The national monuments of Singapore (pp. 158-165). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(RSING 725.94095957 LIU)

National Heritage Board. (1992). Armenian Church of St. Gregory preservation guidelines. Singapore: Author.
(Call no.: RSING 363.69095957 ARM)

(1836, March 27). The Singapore Free Press. 

Urban Redevelopment Authority. (1998). Recognising quality restoration, 1994-1998 (pp. 28 - 29). Singapore: Author.
(Call no.: SING 363.69095957 REC)

Wright, N. H. (2003). Respected citizens: The history of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia (pp. 83 - 92). Victoria, Australia: Amassia Publishing.
(Call no.: RSING 305.891992 WRI)



Further Readings
Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore: 1819-1867 (pp. 283-285). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC)

Liu, G. (1984). Pastel portraits: Singapore's architectural heritage (pp. 129-131). Singapore: Singapore Coordinating Committee.
(Call no.: SING 722.4095957 PAS)

Samuel, D. S. (1991). Singapore's heritage: Through places of historical interest (pp. 74-76). Singapore: Elixir Consultancy Service.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SAM)

Tyers, R. K. (1993). Ray Tyers' Singapore: Then and now (p. 52). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TYE) 

The information in this article is valid as at 1997 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Building Types>>Religious Buildings
Armenian church buildings--Singapore
Historic buildings--Singapore
Singapore--History--1819-1867
Monuments--Singapore
Arts>>Architecture>>Religious buildings

Librarian Recommendations
>> Armenian Street
>> Armenians
>> Agnes Joaquim


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