Fort Cornwallis chapel is a Christian chapel situated inside Fort Cornwallis in George Town, within the Malaysian state of Penang.
| Fort Cornwallis Chapel | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Christian chapel |
| Location | George Town, Penang |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Completed | c.1800 |
| Closed | Unknown |
History edit
The chapel is the earliest roofed structure from the colonial period surviving in Penang, with the building's first recorded use as a Christian chapel taking place in 1799, when a marriage ceremony was conducted between Martina Rozells, widow of Francis Light, founder of the British colony of Penang, and John Timmers, a Dutch merchant.[1][2]
In a report written in 1805 by Sir George Leith, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island (now Penang Island), no mention is made of the existence of the chapel; only a barracks, arsenal, magazine and stores, suggesting that the building was originally designed for military use as an ammunition store.[3]
From around 1819, church services were held at the newly consecrated St. George's church situated in nearby Farquhar Street.[4]
Description edit
The square-shaped building is nestled within one of the four bastions on the south-west side and protected by the defensive walls. The main entrance includes a vestibule which leads to the main room of the building which is illuminated by two small windows in the front and back walls. The interior consists of plain white walls, and the floor is covered with red tiles.[5]
References edit
- ^ Khoo Su Nin (2012). Streets of George Town, An Illustrated Guide to Penang’s City Streets and Historic Attractions (2nd ed.). Areca Books. p. 109. ISBN 9789839886009.
- ^ Alan Teh Leam Seng (26 May 2019). "Fort Cornwallis - Shedding light on Penang's early history". New Straits Times.
- ^ "FORT CORNWALLIS". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 5 November 1912. p. 4.
- ^ Langdon, Marcus (2013). Penang: The Fourth Presidency of India 1805–1830, Volume One: Ships, Men and Mansions. Areca Books. ISBN 9789675719073.
- ^ "Chapel at Fort Cornwallis, Georgetown, Malaysia". orientalachitecture.com. Retrieved 30 November 2023.