Visiting St. Anne

Church grounds

Beautifully landscaped compounds

On a (not too) recent 'local pilgrimage' to Church of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam, a mixed of joy and sudden wave of sadness swept over me. Delighted because of my maiden visit to this much heard place that brings so much hope to people everywhere and in a sombre mood thinking of loved ones whose petitions that I had brought.

Steps leading to the old church

Shrine of St.Anne (old church).

In the wonderfully serene and calm site under the hills, stood the beautifully crafted churches, old and new with Stations of the Cross all around. Along the way to the St.Anne statue, the steps, sheltered by leafy greens of the woods, gave a good leg work for couch potatoes. As difficult it may seem, it was truly an enjoyable experience under a cool, wet weather.

St.Anne's statue

Statue of Jesus

History and facts in a nutshell about St.Anne Church:

• Year 1833 - Chinese and Indian Catholics from Province Wellesley settled at Batu Kawan and gradually moved to Permatang Tinggi, Macang Bubok and Bukit Mertajam

• Year 1840 - Chinese Catholics started settling down at the foothills of Bukit Mertajam
  

• Year 1846 - Fr. Adolphe Couellan, the first visiting priest from France built a chapel just below the hilltop where St. Anne's statue stands. The chapel was named after her because she was the most popular patron saint among the French.
  

• Year 1875 - Fr. F.P. Sorin, the second resident priest built the old church. It was completed 13 years later. He died on July 26 (St. Anne Feast Day), 1907 and was buried at the entrance of the church.
  

• Year 1957 - A new church was built by Fr. Thomas Chin and now the old church was referred to as the Shrine of St. Anne. The new church has combinations of Minangkabau and gothic architectures.

New church: The new church can house 1,800 people
and holds the bone relic of St.Anne.

For more detailed journey into history, please visit: http://www.stannebm.org/