Singapore Life Church

Singapore Life Church (Abbreviation: SLC; Chinese: 基督教新加坡生命堂) is a reformed church [1] located on Prinsep Street within the Central Region of Singapore. Founded in 1883, the church is one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Singapore. [2] Its moderating minister is Rev. Dr. Caleb Soo.

Singapore Life Church
基督教新加坡生命堂
1.3023037°N 103.8498942°E / 1.3023037; 103.8498942
Location144 Prinsep Street
Singapore 188657
CountrySingapore
DenominationPresbyterian
Websitewww.lifechurch.org.sg
History
Founded1883
Founder(s)John A. B. Cook
Architecture
Architect(s)Laud Architects
StyleModern
Administration
SynodPresbyterian Church in Singapore
Clergy
Pastor(s)Rev Dr Caleb Soo
Rev Kevin Chen

History

Singapore Life Church, initially known as “Teck Khah Tng”, was founded by Rev. John A. B. Cook in 1883. In 1917, the church purchased a piece of land at 142-144 Prinsep Street. It commenced with the construction of its first building in 1928. A year later, the church was renamed "Say Mia Tng Teck Khak". The goal of the church was to promote bible knowledge and Christianity.

In October 1950, the English Worship Service was established by Rev. Timothy Tow Siang Hui. More than 100 members attended the evening services at the church’s main sanctuary.

Illuminated view of Singapore Life Church from Prinsep Street.

In 1955, the church’s session court resolved to split the church into three congregations, namely, “Teck Khah” (Singapore Life Church), “Newton” (the present-day Newton Life Church) and the “English Service” (now the Life Bible-Presbyterian Church). A vote was cast and the results were 332, 107 and 129, respectively.

In 1956, the church rented a plot of land at Changi 10th Milestone to spread the Gospel. It was called the Changi Outreach Station. Three years later, the Yok See School and its affiliated kindergarten on Prinsep Street were relocated to its new campus in Newton. In October 1962, the “English Service” congregation, constituted as Life Bible-Presbyterian Church in 1955,[3] moved to Newton (Gilstead Road).[4]

In 1969, the church’s session court decided to rebuild the 40-year-old church on Prinsep Street. On 30 March 1975, the foundation stone for the new building was laid by Rev. Stephen C.K. Tan, the Moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore. In December 1975, the church building was completed and renamed "Singapore Life Church”. It was dedicated by Rev. Paul Hsiu, Moderator of the Synod on 29 May 1977.

Architecture
The church's façade comprises three sections of perforated panels which are “sewn” together by external staircases which culminate in a large Cross.

The church underwent a third rebuilding in 2010. Designed by Laud Architects, the notable features of the church are its monolithic roof and aluminium filigree façade.[5]

The façade is made up of three sections of perforated panels which are “sewn” together by black external staircases which culminate in a large Cross.[6]

Overall, the seven-storey structure is arranged as a three-storey podium topped with a four-storey block above. The car park, located on the first floor, is enclosed within aluminium T-profiled louvres, screening the activity within and providing ‘uplift’ to the floors above. [7]

At night, the church is illuminated from within and shafts of light are emitted through these small breaks in the façade and a glass expanse in the centre.

Internally, the building offers two key volumes and a number of breakout spaces such as prayer rooms and communal gathering areas. There is also a main sanctuary and a smaller chapel within the complex.

During the construction stage, reinforced concrete structures were used with post-tensioned beams to create column-free spaces within the building. [8]

The construction of the church’s third rebuilding was completed in 2012. The first Sunday services were held on 1 July 2012.

See also

References
  1. (in Chinese) Singapore Life Church - Home
  2. "The Presbyterian Church in Singapore". Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  3. Timothy Tow (1995). The Singapore B-P Church Story (PDF). Life Book Centre, pp. 73-74. ISBN 981-00-7057-8. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  4. "The Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore and Malaysia 1950-1971" (PDF). The Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore and Malaysia 1950-1971. The Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore and Malaysia: 32. 1971. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  5. "LAUD Awards (SIA Architectural Design Awards, 2013 Honourable Mention)". www.laudarchitects.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. "Singapore Life Church". Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  7. "LAUD Architects replace 1970s modernist building with perforated aluminium form for Singapore Life Church". Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  8. "LAUD Architects replace 1970s modernist building with perforated aluminium form for Singapore Life Church". Retrieved 15 July 2018.

Further reading
  • National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 981-4068-23-3
  • Norman Edwards, Peter Keys (1996), Singapore - A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places, Times Books International, ISBN 9971-65-231-5
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