By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The official opening of the new St Peter’s Church in Padungan took place on 28 June 2025, the first event of a host of week-long celebrations in commemoration of the consecration of St Peter’s Church at a Solemn Mass on 29 June.
To officiate the opening was Archbishop Dato Simon Poh, witnessed by government dignitaries, religious leaders, benefactors and parishioners.
Perbena Emas director James Ling, the building’s main contractor handed over the Completion Certificate to Archbishop Simon to celebrate the completion of the RM38 million Church.
This was followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new Church. Fr Vincent Chin, the parish rector then opened the Church doors and led the dignitaries and invited guests into the classic neo-gothic style Church.
Iconic Home of Worship
Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, read out his message that described St Peter’s Church as a “striking and proud landmark in the heart of a beautiful city of Kuching”, an “iconic home of worship” and “a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith.”
He later presented a cheque of RM1 million from the Sarawak government (making it a total contribution of RM3 million) through UNIFOR towards the Church development fund.
Pilgrimage Church
Archbishop Simon acknowledged he was “thrilled that our new St Peter’s Catholic Church now stands tall in the heart of Kuching city, a proud testament that truly anchors the Church’s architectural traditions.”
It has been designated a pilgrimage Church for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. Pilgrims and visitors are free to enter the open doors of the Church to pray and reflect, to encounter the Lord’s mercy and experience hope, joy, peace and love.
The Church which took five years to complete, is strategically located among Kuching’s major religious landmarks. One million pieces of stained glass meticulously assembled into glass panels and windows, tell the story of hope and the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Anchoring Tradition, Embracing Change
A coffee table book entitled ‘Anchoring Tradition, Embracing Change’ was launched to commemorate the consecration of the Church. It chronicles the history of St Peter’s Church, showcasing a testament of unwavering faith and perseverance. From its humble beginnings in 1937 under Msgr Aloysius Hopfgartner to its current renaissance under Fr Vincent Chin, the Church has continually evolved to meet the spiritual needs of its parishioners.
According to Fr Vincent, “The design of this sacred place is guided by the principle of anchoring tradition, embracing change.” He attributed this to Archbishop Emeritus John Ha’s suggestion of a “traditional gothic-style Church, a symbol of timeless Catholic heritage.” This would provide a balance that was “grounded in the past, open to the future.”
Reflecting on the new Church, Fr Vincent said it is steeped in history, beginning with the day Chapel altar that was first used at the consecration of St Peter’s Church in 1949. Calling the Church a neo-gothic architecture in contemporary Church design, he also described it as a “truly Sarawak-built Church”, and that “God who has blessed us through this project continue to do so as we move forward as Pilgrims of Hope.”
Archbishop Simon Poh thanked everyone for their presence and contribution, saying, “All we do is not about ourselves,” and quoted Ephesians 3:19-21, emphasising the incomprehensible love of Christ, the boundless power of God, and the eternal glory given to God.
