Singapore Life Church

Singapore Life Church
基督教新加坡生命堂
Country Singapore
Denomination Presbyterian
Website www.lifechurch.org.sg
History
Founded 1883
Founder(s) John A. B. Cook
Architecture
Architect(s) Laud Architects
Style Modern
Administration
Synod Presbyterian Church in Singapore
Clergy
Pastor(s) Rev Dr Caleb Soo
Rev Kevin Chen

Singapore Life Church[1] (Abbreviation: SLC; Chinese: 基督教新加坡生命堂) is a reformed church located at Prinsep Street, under the Rochor Planning Area, within the Central Region of Singapore. It is one of the oldest Presbyterian church in Singapore. The church's moderating minister is the Rev Dr Caleb Soo.

History

Singapore Life Church was established in 1883 and has been around for more than 120 years.[2] Sunday services were combined with a Baptist church at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Chapel as there were not many members then.

In 1917, the church purchased a land parcel at 142-144 Prinsep Street and rented it out. It was only until 1928 that Teck Khak began construction of its new building.

In 1929, the church was renamed "Say Mia Tng Teck Khak". The church's goal was to promote bible knowledge and Christianity.

On 15 October 1950, the English Worship Service was set up by the Rev Timothy Tow. The worship service met from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm on Sunday. The official number of members attending was more than a 100. It was then held at the Main Sanctuary of the church.

In 1955, the members of Life Church separated into 3 congregations, namely, "Teck Khak", "Newton" and "English Service". Members voted to decide which church they belonged and the results were 332, 107, and 129 respectively. The church rented a piece of land at Changi 10 Mile Stone to build an outreach center called Changi Outreach Station in 1956.

In 1959, English Life Church purchased land in Newton to build a church which was completed on Oct 1960. They shifted into the new premises from Life Church on the 3rd Sunday of October 1960 and celebrated her 10th Thanksgiving Anniversary. She was then named Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.

Subsequently, Life Kindergarten was founded in 1960 and the Kindergarten Block was built in 1964.

In 1969, a decision was made to rebuild the church. The new building’s foundation was laid in 1975 and the new building was completed in 1977.

In 1975, the Registrar of Societies approved the Chinese and English church name. The initial Roman pronunciation of "Say Mia Tng Teck Khak" given in 1929 was told to change to English by the order of Registrar of Societies in 1975. Session decided to rename it to "Singapore Life Church".

From 1997 to 2003, the size of the congregation increased from 501 to 875

Architecture

Singapore Life Church is designed by Laud Architects. Its most notable features are the monolithic white aluminium roof and its aluminium filigree façade.[3]

See also

Life Bible-Presbyterian Church

References

  1. ↑ (Chinese) Singapore Life Church - Home
  2. ↑ Singapore Life Church - History
  3. ↑ "Singapore Life Church Honourable Mention". www.sia.org.sg. Retrieved 2015-10-04.

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