Kuching's St Peter’s Church Will Have Notre-Dame de Paris Vibes Once It's Built

St Peter’s Church in Kuching, Sarawak

If it isn’t Malaysia’s wealth of nature gems and food, it’s our diversity that makes us proud to be Malaysians. While this can easily be seen by taking a peek at the faces of diners at a mamak restaurant, it’s also the collection of religious buildings scattered around Malaysia that showcases this unique blend of cultures present in our country.

To add on to the already-colourful list of temples, mosques, and churches in Malaysia, St Peter’s Church is a new cathedral in Kuching, Sarawak that is set to be completed by October 2024. The church’s stunning visuals includes stained-glass, a rose window, bell towers and Gothic architecture that’s reminiscent of old cathedrals seen in Europe.

New cathedral with Gothic architecture

Image credit: St Peters Padungan

According to The Borneo Post, St Peter’s Church is a remodelling of its former building, which was built in 1949. It was demolished to make way for this new, yet classic cathedral design, because the church needed more space for guests and the foundation of its previous structure was deteriorating.

The upgrade in space will allow over 1,200 parishioners – up from the original 800 – to fit into the church at any one time once it is completed. Along with this, the 12-acre land in Padungan, the city centre of Kuching, that the church is set on will feature other amenities, such as a hostel and a 2-storey columbarium that has already been built.

St Peter’s Church’s old structure built in 1949
Image credit: Kuching City, Sarawak

The church’s Gothic architecture will be another major upgrade from its previous look. As seen from 3D impressions of what St Peter’s Church will look like once it’s completed, it’s not far-fetched to say that it will look like the churches that have become iconic landmarks in Europe.

This is because designers and manufacturers from Italy are helping out with the church’s new design, which will feature Gothic architecture staples such as spires, or towers, and pointed arches.

Image credit: St Peters Padungan

The church will also feature a main rose window with stained-glass religious images, similar to the one in Notre Dame in Paris, that will be the highlight of the building. According to New Sarawak Tribune, the window will be made by Italian designers as well, and will take a whopping 4 years to complete – which is the same time that it will take to complete the entire new building.

Image credit: St Peters Padungan

The interior of the church will also be renovated. While most churches built in recent times have opted for modern designs, St Peter’s Church’s interior will feature high, vaulted ceilings, along with mezzanine seatings along arched windows.

Image credit: F+L Associates Sendirian Berhad

Several rose windows and pews will surround the nave, or central part of the cathedral, as well, where an elaborate altar set within an arch and under a cross will be located.

Image credit: F+L Associates Sendirian Berhad

Construction still underway for cathedral

The church’s new design is estimated to cost RM38 million, and will be completed within 4 years.

Image credit: Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd

According to photos shared on 5th October 2020 by Perbena Emas – the construction company behind the project – constructions for the church have already begun. They’ve been posting monthly updates on how the project is going.

The structure of the church is said to be completed in 2 years, with the last 2 years reserved for works on its interior.

Image credit: Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd

On 19th June 2023, The Borneo Post reported that construction works on the church is now at 70%, with expected completion by October 2024.

Joins other prominent religious landmarks

St Peter’s Church will be joining the line-up of other stunning religious landmarks already present in Kuching. This includes Masjid India Bandar Kuching, which opened its doors to the public in March 2019. It’s built on Sungai Sarawak, which is why it’s often nicknamed “Floating Mosque”.

Image adapted from: @sahul_sara93 via Instagram

Tua Pek Kong Temple is another religious landmark in Kuching, but with a historic past as its structure dates back to 1770. It was later a casualty during the Great Fire of Kuching and World War II. After a round of restoration and renovations, the temple remains standing tall and proud near the waterfront in the middle of a bustling town.

Image credit: @brandonzhun via Instagram

St Peter’s Church in Kuching, Sarawak

The construction of St Peter’s Church is showcasing one of many features that makes us proud to be Malaysians: our diversity. It’s also adding yet another landmark to Sarawak’s already impressive list of must-visit places and hidden gems in town.