"One of the earliest religious landmarks in Penang, the Cathedral got its name from the day the first group of Roman Catholic Eurasians from Kedah landed in Penang in 1786, which was the eve of the Feast of the Assumption."
Introduction Tucked in the corner of Farquhar and Love Lanes, is a stately, slate-grey building that is the Cathedral of the Assumption, one of several historic religious landmarks in Penang. The cathedral got its name from the Feast of the Assumption – a day of religious festival celebrated by the Roman Catholics – which also happened to be the day when the first group of Roman Catholics arrived in Penang in 1786. Today, the cathedral still serves the Roman Catholic community in Penang, although what's left of the original Eurasian Roman Catholic community has dwindled to a few homes behind the cathedral along Argus Lane.
History Shortly after Francis Light's arrival in Penang in 1786, he arranged for the first batch of Roman Catholics Eurasians to be brought over to Penang from their parish in nearby Kuala Kedah. This small community was made mainly of descendants of inter-racial marriages between the European and the Burmese and Siamese. Some of the individuals from this community served under the Light administration.
Originally founded at Church Street by Father Garnault in 1786, the church was later moved to Farquhar Street in 1802. The building that is found today was built in 1860 by Father Manissol. Like many other religious landmarks in Penang, the church underwent rennovations over the years. The Roman Catholic community built its existence in and around Farquhar Street.
It wasn't until 1955 that the church became a cathedral according to a decree by the Vatican, and a Bishop installed to preside over services held here. The first Bishop here was the Right Reverend Monsignor Francis Chan.
Travel Advice Penang's Georgetown has perhaps one of the most diverse religious community in Malaysia. Almost every religion has its own mosque, church, temples or wats to serve their believers. If you're seeking to see a cross section of this religious diversity, make it a point to visit the Acheen Street Mosque, Kek Lok Si temple, Ayira Vaisyar Sri Meenakshi Temple and Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram.
For more information, please contact: Penang Tourism Action Council 56th Floor, KOMTAR 10000 Penang Tel : 604-262 0202 Fax : 604-2631020 Email : enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my
Last viewed - May 17, 2008
Getting there
By Bus
Express buses ply the route from Penang to / from Kuala Lumpur and major cities in the country. Please visit (http://www.plusliner.com/) for more info. The main bus terminal in Penang is located next to the Ferry Terminal.
By Taxi
To get to Penang Island, long distance taxi service can be hired at Weld Quay, Penang. Tel: +604-2625721.
By Plane
Daily flights via Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com, tel:1 300 88 3000 ) and AirAsia (www.airasia.com, tel: 1-300-88 9933) to / from Penang to major cities in Malaysia. Penang's Bayan lepas International Airport is roughly 20km (45-minnute drive) from the Georgetown city centre.
By Rail
You can take the train from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, where it stops at the Penang Railway Station, close to the ferry terminal. For more information, visit www.ktmb.com.my or call their call centre at +603-22671200.
By Boat
Ferries can be boarded at Butterworth, in the mainland portion of Penang. Among Ferry Services available are:
Langkawi Ferry Services (Tel: +604-2643088
Ekspress Bahagia (Tel: +604-2636255)
From the Ferry Terminal you can easily get a taxi ride into Georgetown city centre.
Situated at the corner of Lebuh Farquhar and Love Lane in Georgetown City, the Cathedral is easily accessible through Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Light and Jalan Penang. A trishaw ride is also an ideal way to negotiate Georgetown's streets, and it costs around RM1.50 per kilometre.
To drive to Penang, from Kuala Lumpur, get onto the North-South Expressway heading north. Get onto the Penang Bridge (Tol is RM7 for cars), then head for Georgetown.
