Ten Years Ago St Michael’s Institution Restored It's Chapel

The beautifully restored SMI Chapel in September 2011

I can still remember the words said on that morning. “It warms my heart to see our SMI chapel filled again after so many years “ said by the late Dato’ Brother Vincent Corkery fsc.

The late Bro Vincent Corkery addressing the congregation.."it warms my heart.."

The year was 24^th September 2011 and the school was having their 'Centennial Mass'.

The chapel had been closed since the year 2000 due to termite infestation on the wood panels, walls and ceiling.

Bro Vincent was not the only one that was glad. A lot of  Michaelian's were present and very happy to attending mass at the Chapel again. 

The late Masters John Lee and Noel d'Oliverio (in stripe shirt)

Happy to be here 

Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Cheah also a Michaelian

The choir was from St Michael's Church

 

Mass ...

and communion

SMI chapel was built in the late 1930s.   The design was inspired by the beautiful Sainte Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite in Paris, France.

In 2007 when the restoration of the roof for the main building was discussed the plan to completely restore the chapel was mooted. Other than termite infestation the center of the chapel floor was found to be worn and was then strengthened and resurfaced. The work was done gradually over 4 years and when funds were available.

The result was the mass that morning in a beautifully restored chapel and before the annual Old Michaelian dinner.

Polished and 

....ready..

..in the restored chapel 

KC

Evening Drive .....

To Ampang ...a suburb of Ipoh now. It was a very clear evening and the warm sun made the green hills stand out ..i posted this photo on my Fb page earlier.  As i drove toward Tambun i imagined hearing a voice call ........

...and so i ended up here ... nice isn't it .....

  ..... or was it the Kingfisher calling and patiently waiting and posing .. not moving. The Iskandar Polo Club is at the back.  This was as far as my phone would zoom .

My Kinta Valley.

KK

My Visit To Novena Church Singapore .. 2011

The Novena Church in 2011 preparing of the actual day.

I visited the Novena Church, Singapore in September 2011. It was to attend their annual procession held on the 1^st Saturday of September.

I had arrived a few days earlier before the procession just to visit friends, mooch around and witness the preparation. It was a good plan to come early. 

Singapore is always a pleasure to visit because it’s so pleasant and is always tidy and clean.

Novena Church in 2011 

Novena Church is known as the Church of St Alphonsus, Thomson Road. I had been there over over 20 years ago but could only vaguely remember the place.

This time I took the MRT and was amazed at its transformation. Novena as i knew it was a church where i go to pray and at times pray for special intentions had become a suburb ie Novena suburb.

It had an MRT, Medical Centre even a Post Office. Just about everything in the near surroundings was called Novena.  I was impressed.

Novena MRT ..

"Welcome to NS20 Novena"

Outside the station ...Map of the Suburb NOVENA

All NOVENA  ...

NOVENA Post Office ...

Early morning Singapore's signature cleanliness

NOVENA Estate ....

Bus guide to Novena ..

On the actual day the congregation would overflow to across the road.

the overhead walkway to Novena Church

...... lined with lavender Bougainvilla's ...

walkway leads straight to church ...

Arrived

I hadn’t yet arrived at Novena Church but I was already impressed. Did the multitude of devotees each weekend convince the Government to give the Church the identity it deserves. 

Whatever it was Novena Church certainly was central to their decision.

KK

A 1941 Telephone Directory Gives A Glimpse Of Ipoh's Entrepreneurs And Professionals

A telephone directory too can become a heritage item. Charlie Choong, a former engineer now a restoration enthusiast found a 1941 directory and posted it on his Fb page. 

An interesting find for if you knew about Ipoh history you would also know how it contributed to its growth.

For the Ipoh locality the first #1 was ‘Resident. Pk’, most probably the British Resident.

Eu Chateau was #41 followed by #42. Eu Tong Sen. French Tekka Mines #126 It had an office in Ipoh ? .. Celestial Hotel #158. Interesting it was a hotel as well as a dance hall.  #61 was Ban Hoe Seng and #492 Chew Boon Juan was its owner who successfully mined Gunong Lanno with Charles Alma Baker.

Loke Lum Club#170, Foong Seong #283 was a foundry, #229. Yeoh Joo..was it Yeoh Khuan Joo…and the OCPD was #222 and so were the police stations Jelapang #223 to Tambun #227.

Oversea Ch. Bkg (OCBC??) was #264 -268..they must have had busy days, Kinta Swimming Club #536, Dr Karthigasu #571, B.M.Iversen the architect  #639. 

Ipoh certainly had an interesting array of professionals and entrepreneurs. 

An interesting find indeed.

KC