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The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
This first Christian church was built in Singapore in
1835 after the plans of the Irish architect George D. Coleman, and
consecrated on 26 March 1836. The National Preservation Board of Singapore
declared it national monument in 1973.
St Gregory the Illuminator (Krikor Lusavoric), was the
first Supreme Head of the Armenian Church. It is said that he converted
King Tiridates III, who proclaimed Christianity as Armenia's state religion
in the year 301.
The tomb stones of the memorial garden in the Church
compound were brought here in the 1960s from Fort Canning Cemetery,
when it was transformed into a park. Among them are tomb stones of famous
Singaporean Armenians such as Catchick Moses, co-founder of Straits
Times, the Sarkies brothers, founders of Raffles Hotel, and Agnes Joaquim
who cultivated an orchid named Vanda Miss Joaquim after her, which became
the national flower of Singapore in 1981.
Address: 60 Hill Street
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