Church of the Assumption in Butterworth

The Church of the Assumption was founded in 1786, when Captain Francis Light first came to Penang, Malaysia. It is located in Farquhar Street, George Town, within the heritage core zone of the city. The church is the third oldest Catholic church in Malaysia.This church was the seat of the bishop of Penang from 1955 to 2003 and it is also a World Heritage Church.In 1786, Captain Francis Light landed on Penang Island and named it Prince of Wales Island. He set up the Fort Cornwallis. In conjunction with their landing in Penang which coincides with the feast of the Assumption of The Blessed Mary on 15 August that year, he and his companions built a church and named it Church of the Assumption. It was the first Roman Catholic church in the northern region of Malaysia, as well as the first church built after the British landed in Penang. They went on to control Malaya later on.As the population of Penang Island continues to increase, there was a need for a bigger church. In 1860, the present crucifix shaped church, was constructed. It was completed in 1861 and opened. It consists of two bell towers and a huge altar. The pipe organ, by Morton & Moody of Oakham, England, was installed in 1916 and the choir gallery was extended.In December 1941, when the Japanese conquered Penang, the church was closed except for a few masses. It was said that during one day, when the bells of the church were tolled, a Japanese soldier went into the church to cut off the ropes, saying that the bells were noisy. Life went back to normal when the Japanese surrendered in August 1945.In 1954, in conjunction with the Marian Year, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried on a long procession through the streets of George Town. It was replaced with a shrine built in front of the church.[2] The need for a diocese was raised up after the Japanese occupation. After much discussion, finally on 25 February 1955, the Penang Diocese was established together with the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. At the same time, Bishop Francis Chan and Bishop Dominic Vendargon were appointed as bishops of Penang and Kuala Lumpur, respectively. This church, together with St. Johns Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur, was given the cathedral status.At that period of time, Cathedral of the Assumption served as the main church of the northern region of Malaysia. A lot of diocesan activities were held there. It was in the mid-1970s, when the cathedral and three other churches in George Town suffered a major setback. The Catholic population there started to dwindle until only about 1,500 Catholics were left in the city. Since the number of the priests were shrinking, in 1988 Bishop Antony Selvanayagam decided to merge the four parishes into one parish, named City Parish.In the 1990s, main functions of the diocese were moved to other churches. That was also the time when the Bishop of Penang had a meeting with the priests to discuss about moving the cathedral to some other places. In 2001, Bishop Antony Selvanayagam announced that in January 2003, the status of the cathedral will be moved to the Cathedral of The Holy Spirit in Green Lane, Penang. This parish emerged as the new cathedral because it has a high number of parishioners and was also a very active parish in the diocese.On 20 January 2003, the cathedral status and bishops seat were officially moved to the new Cathedral of The Holy Spirit, thus lowering the status of the cathedral to Church of The Assumption. In 2008, when George Town and Malacca Town became UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the church was named as world heritage church. The church building was over 160 years old and has historical significance.In 2022, the church marked a year-long celebration of its 235th

Under renovation. Looking forward to their reopening as soon as possible. Ceiling plastering in progress. It has roof leaks problem. The sanctuary is getting a new floor finish.

Very old and nice church building. Plain white, just like St. George.The twim tower, though not very tall, reminds me of Paris Notre Dame Cathedral.There is a Catholic Muzeum in the same compound.

Its a Beautiful structure, cool... So serene and full of memories.

Sunday morning mass at 10 am. Not too big church but beautiful. They have a museum too but did not have time to check whats inside.

Lovely old church in the old city of Georgetown with an interesting museum nearby telling the history of the Catholic Church and the French missionaries who helped set up churches in Penang and Kedah. Also an amazing collection of religious paintings by a Father Reutens who lived in Kota Bharu and added local colour and themes to his art work. Free entry to both though donations are invited.

Looking scared place! It was very quiet and calm when I visited. Looks beautiful!!

Loved the new museum opened to public. Full historical items and information. Must visit place to those who wants to learn about the Catholic faith

Good old catholic church. Still good maintened.There is a musium.

This church is a beauty! Well this is because they have one of the oldest pipe organ inside the church and there is a lot of history about the church.. If wanna know more about the church, do visit the museum near the church

Beautiful and bright Catholic church with long historical stories. Inside the church you can see a locket with a strand of St.Theresa Lisieux’s hair.i also feel the Mother Mary statue in this church is the most beautiful one, and placed beautifully in a glass case in front of the church, feel so peaceful.beside this church also stands a museum of Catholic history in Penang.

A beautiful church which is definitely in contrast with the temples and mosques that fill Georgetown. Only open once a week and we managed to walk past just after Sunday service and snuck in to have a look. A few stained glasses windows and very bright, white inside

Beautiful , blessings church for Penang. Bless to all those who visited this ancient heritage site of the island

Nice ambience.They have gallery and museum as well...For Catholics, it is worth to visit, as they have lots relics from several MartyrsNear lots of places of interest as well

One of the most historic bastion of early Roman Catholicism in Penang established by the Eurasian community.

Peaceful and tranquil church. Liked it.

The Church of the Assumption was founded in 1786, when Captain Francis Light first came to Penang, Malaysia. It is located in Farquhar Street, George Town, within the heritage core zone of the city. The church is the third oldest Catholic church in Malaysia. The Penang Diocesan Museum also located here at The Church of the Assumption.

The church has a nice museum about how Catholics came about in Penang. The museum features several old artifacts and robes. Worth a walk around if you arent familiar with the chatolic faith.Entry Fee: up to you (they go by donations)

200years Church established during Capt Francis light landing at Penang. The church has a pipe organ almost 150years old.

This is a beautiful church, especially after its renovation. It used to be the Cathedral of the Diocese of Penang and is the oldest church in Penang. I came here when it was designated as a pilgrimage church in conjunction with the Extraordinary Missionary Year (2019). During this period, the relics of saints and martyrs of College General are displayed at the front of the church, together with stories of local missionaries. I also enjoyed the Fr. Reutens Gallery and church museum located in the adjacent building.

Check out the two museums, good collection of church history, friendly volunteers and it is free.

Really nice ambience after the renovation. Beautiful traditional Catholic church n a must visit for outstation folks. Catholic museum nearby also well worth a visit.

Heritage Church, majestic yet serene to have a short reflection from the hustle bustle of daily life.

The people who set up the pilgrimage agenda did a GREAT job Kudos. I will be going back because I didnt have enough time to really appreciate the exhibits

Love the place. The nature surround sound when hymns are sung, so heavenly

This is the biggest Church Ive been in , it will give you a peaceful feeling entering and sitting in this place

A place of great peace and serenity. The Musuem is open now. Please do consider visiting

Very Nice to see the History of the Roman Catholic Church in Penang & Malaysia.

An old and historical building. It has weekly masses.

Catholic church with simple architecture

A lovely place to visit if you like churches and stained glass windows. Me, I love them so I have always made it a point to visit one if given the opportunity. There is also a musuem right next door and for a nominal fee (donation), you can enter the musuem and learn about the history of the church in north east Malaysia. It has a rich and interesting history.

Very beautiful Church. It has the only pipe organ in the city.

The Church of Assumption in Farqhuar Street Penang was a Cathedral previously. Then it was rumoured that it was land on which the Cathedral stands was to be soldWhether it was true or not, the news could not be verified and so the Church still remains as it is but was given an uplift & partially renovated recently.It is a grand old Church with stained glasses of holy paintings of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Lord Jesus Christ.Nothing much has changed as it still retains its beautiful structure & Statues.

Loved this place so calm and peacefull

very good church with the great great building, old antique and beautiful.

Charuch of the Assumption was the first cathotic church in George Town.Firstly built in Church St in 1786, then was moved to present loaction in 1802. The present building was built in 1860. Two wings was added in 1924.

Its a best place! But car parking inside the garden of church RM 10.00, very expensive!

Very Nice Church, 2nd oldest Church in Malaysia. Sunset mass at 6.30pm

This is the 2nd oldest church in Malaysia. It was renovated in 2017 and is the pilgrim church for the Northern Region for this years pontifical extraordinary missionsary year.

A beautiful holy place to worship or just to visit an excellent example of British colonial architecture

Beautiful church! Church underwent refurbishment from late 2016 till end of 2017. New layout much better. The museum visit is also a must!

1st JAN 2019: Blessing all, “Emmanuel” be with us always. Amen💒

Its a place of worship for Catholics. Besides, its a tourist spot for its well known heritage

The Cathedral of the Assumption (free entryis a Roman Catholic church originally founded by Captain Francis Light shortly after taking possession of Penang in the name of The Crown. It is the oldest church in Penang, located at the intersection of Love Lane and Farquhar Street, a short distance from the Penang State Museum.The building you see today is not the original church. Due to colony growth in Penang, a new church was built in 1860 in colonial architectural style popular at that time. Further, unlike decadent cathedrals in Europe, Cathedral of the Assumption is quite subtle and humble in its design and features.The exterior is is mostly bare with two twin tower houses. Inside the church, you find single room nave with white walls, featuring a handful of basic stain-glassed windows. In back is a pipe organ installed in 1916. The altar area appropriately simple but nice. In these ways, this cathedral reminds of churches you can visit in former Portuguese colony, Macau.In the end, perhaps a place more of interest to visiting Catholics in search of a venue to attend Mass. However, if you do pass by the Cathedral of the Assumption and it is open, take a quick look inside and a few minutes to see the exterior of the building. It just takes a few minutes to see all.

It was an interesting place to visit if you like learning religious history. You can see some artifact and statues.

Not very impressive. Outside was nice but church was completely empty with no indication of mass schedule.

Is the oldest Catholic Church located on the Northern Peninsula of Malaysia. was built by captain Francis Light (also the founder of Penangin 1786 to coincide with the celebration of Our Lady of Assumption August 15 (according to the Roman Catholic calendar), the Church is called Church of the Assumption. dated August 15, 2016 The church is closed for a massive restoration for 14 months and costs RM 2.5 Million.

Beautiful church, great usherers, serenely sung hymns and a wonderful parish priest.

Most of it is currently (Septemberclosed for renovations inside, can only see the front of the church.

Very nice church even though space is limited. Parking is very congested. Maybe after the renovation it will serve the people better. If I am visiting Penang this will always be the church I visit. Location is good & centralised in town area. Good choir & a lot of senior citizen there.