Church of Saint Paul (Saint Paul's Church) Malacca

Saint Paul’s Church is a historic church building in Malacca City, and this church was initially built in 1521, the oldest church building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Saint Paul’s Church is located at the summit of St. Paul’s Hill. This church is part of the Malacca Museum Complex comprising the A Famosa ruins, the Stadthuys and other historical buildings.

The original structure of Saint Paul’s Church was a simple chapel built in 1521 dedicated to the Virgin Mary and known as the Nossa Senhora da Annunciada. The chapel was built by a Portuguese Fidalgo or nobleman, Duarte Coelho, as an act of gratitude following his escape from a storm in the South China Sea.

Saint Paul’s Church was then further enlarged in 1556 with the addition of a second floor, and a belfry tower was added in 1590. The chapel was renamed the Igreja de Madre de Deus (Church of the Mother of God).

A burial vault was opened in 1592, and many people of distinction were buried there, including Pedro Martins, the second Bishop of Funay, Japan.

With the conquest of Malacca by the Dutch in 1641, the church was reconsecrated for Dutch Reformed use as St. Paul’s Church, also known as the Bovenkerk or High Church. The church remained in use as the main church of the Dutch community until the new Bovenkerk (better known today as Christ Church Malacca) was completed in 1753.

The old church was then subsequently deconsecrated, and the structure modified and strengthened as part of the fortifications of Malacca. The name of the church was then used as a churchyard. When the British occupied Malacca in 1824, the church was used as a powder magazine and was allowed to deteriorate further.

In 1924, the old Portuguese burial vault in the church’s chancel was partially uncovered. Further excavation was done in 1930 by the president of the newly formed Malacca Historical Society, Major C. E. Bone. In this period, the tombstones scattered around in the vicinity of the church were affixed to the walls.

In 1952, a statue of St. Francis Xavier was erected in front of the church’s ruins in commemorating the 400th anniversary of his sojourn in Malacca. A day after the statue was consecrated, a large casuarina tree fell on it, breaking off its right arm.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Paul,_Malacca