Denomination Anglican Completed September 1958 Phone +60 16-374 7653 | Style “Nissen” Hut Opened September 1958 Status Parish church | |
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Website www.angelfire.com/vt/allsoulschurch/ Consecrated Thursday, 30 April 1959 Similar Undan Island Lighthouse, Malacca Light, Church of the Risen Christ - Pe, Malacca Warrior Monument, Chartered Company Monument | ||
All Souls’ Church is located in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. It is approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Ipoh or about 200 kilometres (120 mi) from Kuala Lumpur.
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The church was established in 1958. It is affiliated to the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia and the Council of Churches, Malaysia.
History
All Souls’ Church, previously known as the Cameron Highlands Church, was erected in 1958. It was initially attached to St. John’s Church in Ipoh, Perak. The committee then comprised Captain Hugh Fitzherbert Bloxham (Police Force, Tanah Rata), Mr. E.G. Waller (District Officer), Major Raymond Thomas (Commander, OC Troops), Major W.R. Stokes (Headmaster, Slim School), Mr. Hogarth (Chefoo School), Mr. Whitelaw (District Engineer), Rev. G.A. Williamson (OMF, Tapah), Mr. Sales (Clerk of Works), Miss Dove and Miss Anne L.P. Griffith-Jones.
The history of the church can be traced back to the early 1950s when the Vicar of Ipoh and other expatriate clergy held occasional services at either the Cameron Highlands Hotel (now the Cameron Highlands Resort) or Slim School (which is the present location of the Malaysian Commando Camp). Historical records show that the Rev. Anthony Charles Dumper made his pastoral visits to Slim School as early as 1950. The first confirmation service recorded was in 1952.
During the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) there was a significant increase in the number of British Military Forces in the district. Army chaplains visited the “Camerons” to conduct the weekly services at either the Eastern Hotel (now the site of the Century Pines Resort) or Slim School. The congregation consisted mainly of military personnel.
In early 1958, Miss Anne L.P. Griffith-Jones, OBE (1890–1973) offered to give a site adjoining the Slim School grounds for the erection of a School Chapel. However, after consultation with the District Officer, it was established that the State Government would not alienate any further land to the British Forces. Subsequently, Miss Griffith-Jones transferred the land to the Diocese on the understanding that a small civilian church would be built on it. The church would also be available for any special army services.
The construction of the church commenced in 1958. The army authorities generously provided a dismantled Nissen hut for erection as a church and also donated a sum of RM$1,000 towards the total erection costs of RM$4,643. Part of this money also came from the European planter families from Kampong Kuantan and Kuala Selangor.
The church was completed in September 1958 and, except for some minor renovations, remains essentially unchanged to this day.
The name ‘All Souls’ Church’ was given at its consecration on Thursday, 30 April 1959 by the Right Rev. Bishop H.W. Baines, Bishop of Singapore and Malaya to commemorate the soldiers who died in the two World Wars.
The church, under the direction of the Missionary District of South Perak, was initially ministered to by chaplains of the British Armed Forces and expatriate clergy from the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) seconded to the Diocese of West Malaysia. Among these were the Rev. G.A. Williamson (1952–1960), Rev. Whitaker (1957), Rev. C.K. Davis (1958), Rev. K. Oliver (1958), Rev. P. Scott (1959), Rev. J.G.C. Thistle (1959–1960), Rev. T.O. Sturdy (1959–1960), Rev. G. Baker (1960–1961), Rev. Donald H. Temple (1960–1961), Rev. Vokes (1961). Rev. Fred Collard (1965–1974) and Rev. David H. Uttley (1970–1971). The church later became a part of the Parish of South Perak and in 1986 it became a part of the Parish of Batang Padang, Tapah, Perak.
Since its inception, however, All Souls’ Church has been governed by an independent committee comprising members of the church. The first Malaysian clergy who ministered at All Souls’ Church, were the clergy from Emmanuel Church in Tapah, Perak – the Rev. Moses Elisha Ponniah (1975–1979), the Rev. Samuel D. John (1980–1986), the Rev. Alakumalai (1986–1990) and the Rev. Steven Abbarow (1990–1998).
The first resident priest to be appointed to All Souls’ Church was Rev. Kalaimuthu. He was licensed by the late Bishop Tan Sri John G. Savarimuthu on Sunday, 21 August 1994. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Vijendra Daniel in November 1997. On 30 August 1998 the Bishop Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Lim Cheng Ean inaugurated All Souls’ Church as a Missionary District, with the Rev. Dr. Vijendra Daniel as the resident priest.
On 1 January 2007, Rev. David Cheong succeeded Rev. Dr. Vijendra Daniel as Priest-in-Charge of All Souls’ Church. Rev. Jeremiah Lee succeeded Rev. David Cheong from May 2008 and Rev. Simon Soh succeeded Rev. Jeremiah Lee in 2011. In January 2015, the church came under the care of Rev. James Ming Sabaran.
Purpose Statement
All Souls’ Church, in conformity with the historic Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds:
Seeks to magnify God’s name through worship.
Seeks to educate God’s people through discipleship.
Seeks to communicate God’s word through evangelism.
Seeks to demonstrate God’s love through service.
Seeks to obey God’s commission through mission.
Sunday Services
The church runs two services on Sundays. Both services involve lay participation.
The All Souls’ Church English service is held at 10.30am; the Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Malay language service is conducted at 7.30pm.