History

The History of Our Parish

The roots of the building of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes began as far back as the 1860s when it became evident that the Tamil speaking Catholics in Singapore did not have a place of their own for worship. In 1883 Fr. Joachim Alexandre Meneuvrier was placed in charge of the Tamil speaking Catholics and subsequently when the government granted a piece of land at Ophir Road to build a church, Fr. Meneuvrier proceeded to raise funds. In spite of the financial difficulties, the foundation stone was laid in 1886 and the building completed in 1888. Bulit by Swan & Lermit, it adopted the design of the Basilica of Lourdes and was named after it. The entire metal structure was imported from France as were the stained glass windows which were installed in 1958. These bearing the then fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary. Except from "Going Forth" by Eugene Wijeysingha, 2006
Japanese Occupation of Singapore Bombs fall on Presbytery and School buildings causing much damage. No-one injured but entire roof of presbytery or second storey destroyed. Church clerestorey, nave and rose windows damaged by blasts.
The 1960s Onwards By 1960s church was well established with a variety of buildings across the site. 1974: Church authorities moved to a territorial-based parish that did not serve any particular race or language. 1960s -70s: new church-community buildings constructed or extended to cater for ever-growing church community. The current outdoor grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes, designed by RG Architects, was constructed in 1983. Gazetted as a National Monument by the Preservation Monuments Board on 14th January 2005.