Conserved Building

31 Mount Sophia

Applicable Guidelines

Other Building Guidelines

Conservation Area

Mount Sophia Conservation Area

Historic address: 5 Mount Sophia

Former Trinity Theological College Chapel

About

Trinity Theological College opened its doors on 4 October 1948 at No. 7 Mount Sophia as a combined effort sponsored by the Methodist, Anglican, and Presbyterian churches. The chapel was constructed in 1972 and designed by architect Chan Kui Chuan, whose other works include the UIC Building (1973), Mount Elizabeth Hospital (1980), and the Changi Sailing Club (1981).

The History

The idea for the College grew out of conversations among church leaders interned in Changi Prison during the Second World War, who felt there was a need to establish an institution to train pastors as church workers. In 2001, Trinity Theological College moved to its new campus at Bukit Timah. As a gesture of continuity, the roof of the new chapel replicated that of the former Mt Sophia chapel.

The Building

As is common for a religious building, symbolism played an important part in the design of the chapel, whose open, voluminous space can seat 300 worshippers. The asymmetrical shape of the roof represented the Chinese character 人 (rén), meaning "Man". The walls were built of old Chinese hand-made bricks, and the interior is finished with fibrous plaster on the ceiling, ceramic tiles on the floor, and white terrazzo in the chancel. While stained glass is a common feature of church buildings, the geometric abstract composition here is a distinctly Modern touch.

Guidelines and Procedures

All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.

Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.