Orchard Road Presbyterian Church

The History

On 6 May 1875, the colonial Government agreed to grant a piece of land for the erection of a Presbyterian church.

The community then collected building funds and the foundation stone was laid on 1 August 1877 by the Administrator of the Straits Settlements, Colonel Anson.

The building completed in 1878, was widely called the Scots Church because its 42 pioneer members were predominantly from Scotland. Due to its small size, it was also known as ‘Greja Kechil’, which means ‘small church’ in Malay.

The Building

As the oldest Presbyterian church building in Singapore, it was built in the neo-Classical style. Its most distinctive features are a tower and entrance portico which accentuate the front of the building facing Orchard Road.

The dominant feature on the front is a motif commonly known as a Palladian window. This is an archway with three openings, the central one arched and the two flanking with straight entablature.

There are double Ionic columns supporting the arch of the porch which is echoed above by a smaller arch on the upper façade. At the top of the tower sits a graceful cupola.

The Church has a good scale and proportion that suits its setting at the foot of Fort Canning Hill. To meet the growing needs. Due to extensions over the years, the side facades of the Church have been altered.

The Legacy

The Church holds pride-of-place among its community and is an important landmark within its locality. With conservation, it will continue to serve as a physical identity marker along Orchard Road.

Gallery

The building has a high-pitched roof with double eaves.

Circa 1970s. Shows lateral expansion of Church sanctuary. From National Archives of Singapore

Circa 1910s. The Church spire was a handsome high point at the foothills of Fort Canning. From National Archives of Singapore

The internal moulded plaster details in the church

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.

• Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved building are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA's review.

• Submission Process for Works

Explore Street View

The building can be found at this street.