Paul one of JESUS CHRIST’s disciples, but wait, this is not a theology lesson but historical. Hello guys this is JohnsonMalaysia your Local tour guide, welcome.
The Portuguese
1511 marks the year Portuguese begin the colonisation ie. the first western power in the land of Suvarnabhumi or the land of gold (old name for Malaysia). The Portuguese are Catholics who had a commission to take the gospel of JESUS CHRIST to the east.
One of the earliest church was the Saint Paul Church, which was built 10 years after their capture of Malacca. Today it is a ruin guys, let’s look at what happened.
Why built
The original structure was built in 1521, Duarte Coelho a nobleman, who was saved by CHRIST in mid of storm in South China Sea, hence we were so glad and felt he must do something. I believe Duarte Coelho remembered Great Commission of the Saviour hence with gratitude built the Church with a basic one-floor structure.
Dutch
The Dutch, who captured Malacca with great difficulty in 1641 under the banner of VOC whom are protestant. They reconsecrate the church to reform church and called the Church on Hill. Later built CHRIST church at the foot of Saint Paul hill that we see today in Malaca.
English
When the British occupied Malacca in 1824, the church was utilized as a powder magazine and was let to degenerate further. The local call, it Bukit bendera or Flag Hill just like in Penang.
St. Francis Xavier
In 1548, Saint Francis Xavier with the help of fellow Jesuits, Fr. Francisco Peres and Brother Roque de Oliveira, established a school near the church known as St. Paul’s College. Perhaps this is the first official school in the history of my country Malaysia. Saint Frances Xavier died in his mission to China and he told before the death of the ship captain that his body return to Goa.
It was still the time of sail ship. Malacca known as the spot where the wind meets was the place St Frances Xavier was buried for 3 months. Follow me to this church to see the burial place. Today the body still laid to rest in Goa. I was the apostle of the East.
Research
There is an ongoing research of the church’s catacomb, was there one or not, or was it filled. The look of the architecture maybe there was. To find out more, please book a tour with me Johnsonmalaysia.com. I am not a historian sirs, but join me on a Malacca tour.
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