Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Klang
| Church of Our Lady of Lourdes | |
|---|---|
|
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang | |
| 3°02′14″N 101°26′40″E / 3.037327°N 101.444405°E | |
| Location | Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Active |
| Architectural type | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1900[1] |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Reverend Father Julian Leow Beng Kim |
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) is a church located at Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, Malaysia. The current parish priest is Rev. Fr. Frederick Joseph . The Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2008 after the church building had undergone restoration. A new four storeys formation centre, named Wisma Lourdes, had been added to the church complex in order to meet the increasing number of students and classes needed for Sunday School. Wisma Lourdes also houses the parochial house.
History
In 1923, Father Souhait was directed to take charge of the spiritual needs of the Catholic residents in Klang and surrounding districts, including Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat. He was soon aware of the need of a permanent church buildings and set about to acquire the present site. Eventually he succeeded in getting the land where the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and Sekolah Menengah Convent now stand reserved for worship. The church, grotto and the parochial house (where Wisma Lourdes now stands) were completed for $45,000. They were declared open and blessed by Bishop Perrichon in 1928.
Architectural Aspect
Father Souhait was a student of architecture before taking up Holy Orders. He played a large part in the design of the church building, modelling it on the pilgrimage church in Lourdes, France. The design of the church follows the style of a Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture grew out of the period in European history when the church had become established as the religious and political power in Europe. In this sense, Gothic architecture is an expression of a movement as much as it is a specific style of construction. This church exhibits the Gothic style is many of its features, including the nave, transepts, sanctuary, and ribbed dome.
Attractions
Annual Feast Day
The annual Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day and Novena attracts thousands of Catholics pilgrimage to the church.[2]
Relic of St Maria Goretti
On 8 February 2015, a first-class relic of St Maria Goretti was placed by Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Julian Leow within the altar of the Church and witnessed by 1,300 faithfuls.[3][4]
Glass Panes Depicting the Virgin Mary Image
In 2012, two glass panes believed to show images of the Virgin Mary and the face of Jesus were moved to the Church from the Sime Darby Medical Centre in Subang Jaya.[5] The panes are available for viewing 7am to 10pm daily.[6]
References
- ↑
- ↑ EDWARD RAJENDRA (4 February 2015). "Holy feast, prayers to draw thousands". The Star (Malaysia).
- ↑ FMT Reporters (9 February 2015). "Relic of St Maria Goretti now housed in Klang Church's altar". Free Malaysia Today.
- ↑ VANESSA EE-LYN GOMES (9 February 2015). "Rare placement of relic witnessed by thousands". Malay Mail.
- ↑ EILEEN NG (21 November 2012). "'Virgin Mary' glass panes moved to Klang". The Star Online.
- ↑ Ida Lim (20 November 2012). "Virgin Mary' window removed and given to Catholic Church". The Malaysia Insider.