St. Matthew's Church, Singapore
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Saint Matthew's Church (Chinese: 圣马太堂) is a local Anglican church in Singapore, one of the 26 Anglican parishes in the nation.
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[edit] Vision
To D.A.R.E. for the Lord Jesus Christ so as to grow a community that continues to glorify Him. (Disciple; Align; Reach out; Exalt [God])
[edit] Current Status Summary
As of 2007, St Matthew's Church, in her 105th year, has both English and Mandarin congregations, serving people from all parts of the island. After about 77 years at Neil Road, she re-located to Eng Hoon Street in Tiong Bahru in 2006. Begun as a Cantonese congregation, Chinese Singaporeans are still the majority, although the Cantonese congregation has moved to St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore.
The total church population is estimated to be about 400. There are about 170 English-speaking persons (including English-speaking Chinese) in the English congregation, and about 120 Mandarin-speaking Chinese in the Mandarin congregation. There are on average 28 youth in the English Youth Service and the same number of children in the English Children's Ministry. The Mandarin Youth Fellowship has 6 youth and the Mandarin Children's Ministry an average attendance of 9 children.
[edit] History
The St Matthew's Church Chinese congregation has the longest history among all the congregations within the Anglican Diocese of Singapore.[1]
[edit] Founding
St Matthew's Church was founded on 29 September 1902, beginning as a Cantonese-speaking Chinese congregation under St. Peter's Church, Singapore.
[edit] First Building
She became a parish in 1929 with her own building at Neil Road.
[edit] During World War II
Historically, the Neil Road site and the present site were near two of the places used to gather and screen Chinese men aged 18 to 55 for the Sook Ching massacre in 1942: the present Police Cantonment Complex, and the area between Singapore General Hospital and Tiong Bahru Road.
[edit] Second Building
After World War II, a second building was constructed at Neil Road, which expanded to include a kindergarten.
[edit] Third Building
The present building at 1K Eng Hoon Street was dedicated to the glory of God on 7 May 2006 by the Most Reverend Dr John Chew Hiang Chea (周贤正大主教), who is the 3rd Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia as well as the 9th Bishop of Singapore.
[edit] Pastors & Staff
- Revd Stephen Lim Thiam Yew (林添友牧正) - Vicar
- Revd Thong Tang Hiong (汤郑雄牧师) - Priest (Mandarin congregation)
- Mr Anthony Fong - Administrative Officer
- Ms Cindy Yam - Administrative Staff
[edit] Location & Contact Details
1K Eng Hoon Street (英云街), Singapore 169796.
- email: smc1902@singnet.com.sg
- Tel: (65) 6224-9909 (English) / (65) 6224-9919 (Mandarin)
- Fax: (65) 6222-4491
- Emergency hotline: (65) 9188-6880
[edit] Services & Times
[edit] Sundays
English:
- 9.00am English Service (2nd & 4th week Holy Communion)
- 9.00am Children's Ministry
- 11.30am Youth Service
Chinese:
- 11.00am Mandarin Service (1st & 3rd week Holy Communion)
- 11.00am Children's Ministry
- 2.00pm Youth Fellowship
- 2.00pm Senior Citizens' Fellowship (2nd & 4th week)
[edit] Prayer Meetings
English:
- 8.00pm Night of Power: English Monthly Prayer Meeting (3rd Friday of the month) @ Level 4 Joy Room
Chinese:
- 7.30pm Mandarin Monthly Prayer Meeting (Last Friday of the month) @ Level 2 Sanctuary
[edit] Office Hours
- Sundays - 8.00am to 2.00pm
- Mondays - Offices are closed
- Tuesdays to Fridays - 9.30am to 5.30pm
- Saturdays - 9:30am to 3.00pm
[edit] Sources
- Wikipedia: Anglican Diocese of Singapore
- Directory of Churches in The Diocese of Singapore website
- National Council of Churches of Singapore, "A Guide To Churches & Christian Organisations in Singapore 2005-2006", page 15
- "St Matthew's 100" (St Matthew's Church Annual, 2002)
- "St Matthew's Church 98th Anniversary" (St Matthew's Church Annual, Sep 2000)
[edit] Notes
- ^ The Venerable Seow Chai Pin, Archdeacon of Singapore: "St Matthew's 100", page 3.