Our Story
Ad Majorem
Dei Gloriam...
For the greater glory of God
Vision
A joyful and welcoming community of pilgrims who walk in the footsteps of St Ignatius of Loyola; empowered by the Holy Spirit to encounter Christ and glorify God.
Mission
To find God in all things and serve His children and creation, by devotion to and participation in the Word and the Sacraments, as well as reaching out to those in need.
Parish Mission Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Like St Ignatius of Loyola,
We are all pilgrims, walking the camino of life.
Along the journey, help us find You in ourselves, others,
And all situations for Your greater glory.
May our lives be built on breaking the Word
And celebrating the Sacraments.
Grant us the grace to wholly participate in,
And enliven our Sunday Eucharist.
Let us foster peace and harmony
And seek reconciliation with You and all Creation.
Let us build a joyful and welcoming parish community
Where no one is forgotten or left estranged.
Let us extend our hand to the poor,
The marginalised and the vulnerable.
Help us nurture a loving environment
For people to encounter Christ Your son daily,
And experience ongoing conversion.
May the Holy Spirit empower us for mission,
Radiating Your love to all who hunger and thirst for You.
Amen.
For explanation of the prayer, click here.
Our History
In late 1957, then Archbishop Michael Olçomendy requested the Jesuits to build and run a parish Church in the West district of Singapore. The area around Kingsmead Hall was then a kampong dotted with huts, coconut trees and chickens.
Fr Tim Doody was sent from Hong Kong to raise the necessary funds. Fr Kevin O'Dwyer was the clerk-of-works and he was responsible for fitting out the church. When it was opened in February 1961, he was appointed temporary parish priest, a position he eventually held till September 1974.
When there was a need for a parish hall and catechetical centre, parishioners raised funds to build these facilities which were completed in July 1973 on the site of an old football field used by the students at Kingsmead Hall. The new parish hall extension, which houses the Sacred Heart Hall was opened for classes, meetings and the Sunday canteen in 1990. In that same year, the sanctuary in the church was re-constructed.
Today, the church serves about 6000 Catholics attending six weekend Masses weekly, with the expatriate and Filipino communities increasing significantly in recent years.
