1.0 Introduction

1.1 Fast Fact of Building

Holy Rosary Church is one of the most unique Neo-Gothic style church in Malaysia ,which is

located at 10, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. It was constructed by a French

missionary, Father Francis Emile Terrien who was once in charge of the Catholic Chinese

community in Kuala Lumpur. He was later be given a mission to construct out a new church in

his area with the assistance of Father Lambert. The establishment of this church is use to cater

the needs of the Christian Chinese community. Father Terrien found a land which is much

suitable to build the church which is on sale and the land is next to the HIJ Convent (now exist

as the Telekom building at Brickfield Road). In order to buy the land, they borrowed some

money and gathered some of the funds from the parish of St. John and the Chinese community.

The land was paid on 31st July with the loan reimbursed and the plan for the church was

prepared. For the following 18 months, Father Terrien and Father Lumbert drew up the plan and

worked non-stop to build up the Holy Rosary Church. In November, 1904 the church was

completed and it was blessed on Dec 18 Bishop Barillon. The function of the church is to serve

the needs of large Chinese community who accepted God through the Catholic faith by worship

Him.

1.2 Contextual Condition

Contextual condition that changes in between the period of 1903 -1995 and 1955- present of

the church can view from few aspects. In physical aspect, 1950 the church was renovated and

extended by Father Moses Koh due to several parts of the building were damaged during the

period of Japanese Occupation. The church from a flat roof design is further enlarged and with

the addition of wing during the extension of the church by local contractor and architect. Besides

that, a temporary attap building and altar was erected on the present kindergarten playground

behind the church. The renovation accomplish in 1951. In 1955, the church enlarged with the

addition of transepts and spire by Architect Robert B. Pereira. This addition follows the existing

feature of Gothic style. The interior of the church, original is timber ceiling was later replaced by

the plaster vaulting. The mandarin form writing characters is added on the façade for the

chinese parishioners to understand and recognize the church. Beautiful stained glass is also

added in the sanctuary and 20 more stained glass panels are added by the side along the aisle

to replace the hundred year old wooden louvers and window frame which were found to be

termites infested. In political aspect, the church had been ruled by the Japanese during

Japanese occupation and from the present time the church is now under local authority, Dewan

Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.

1.3 The Architect/Concept/Idea

Holy Rosary Church from started to built till renovation had involved quite a numbers of

architect. Which include Father Francis Emile Terrien, Father Lumbert, local Malaysian architect

and Architect Robert B Pereira for the renovation of church to take place. Depicts, many Gothic

featured of churches of European with the use of high windows, a steeple and emphasis on

vertical design concept was applied on this church. Gothic style element also implied in both

interior and exterior of the church. Such as present of finials, pinnacles steeply slope gable roof,

lantern, lancet window and lancet door with decorative tracery, geometrical tracery window,

parapet, clerestory window, steeple and projecting bell tower. Besides that, Holy Rosary Church

have the similar floor plan of Gothic style which have nave and double aisles which led to the

transepts that placing at the both sides and with a central apse.

Figure (1.3.1) North view(front) of Holy Rosary Church Figure(1.3.2) East view (left hand side from front view)

2.0 Building Analysis

2.1 Architectural Elements

There are only a few historical churches in Malaysia with impressive Gothic designs and

values which incorporated into the building. Holy Rosary Church is the only church in Malaysia

which shows the strongest influence design of Gothic Architecture. One of the most prominent

elements that show in this church is pointed arch. Pointed arches can be seen very obvious

from the front façade of the Holy Rosary Church. It exists in five repetition layers on the arches

which enhance the detail appearance of the church.

Exterior

After the renovation at 1955, the church is added in new feature that more similar to

Gothic church which adapted from the England Gothic style architecture. New feature that

added in were wing on both side and aisles and altar. Beside that, the flat roof of Holy Rosary

Church is later being replaced with a pitch gable roof. The modern features such as air vents

can be found below the geometrical tracery of aisle window in order to improve the air

circulation inside the church. Besides, the window around the church had an opening cover

made up of timber, like louvers and steel grills. It is specially design in correspond to the climate

in Malaysia. The architecture element of Gothic also shows in this church such as steeple on

the highest part of the bell tower. The steeple is surrounding by the 4 finials by the sides. The

lantern is just located at the bottom of the center of the projecting bell tower. 2 pinnacles is

place at the both side of the façade. 3 lancet windows with geometrical tracery is well arrange

on the top of the main entrance of the church. To enter into the church one will pass through the

lancet doors. For the side transepts of the church, also act as a side entrance into the church.

Where the triangle parapet can be seen at the top roof and follow by drop cornice molding

surround by the side. Below it was the 3 clerestory windows and the bottom entrance is where

the lancet doors with pointed arch are constructed.

Interior

In 1883, Holy Rosary Church was originated the temporary attap and altar where the

ceiling was built up from timber ceiling which was now replace by the plaster vaulting. The

structure of the church was used vault system instead of beams. Rib vault ceiling was used to

connect each other at the centre points of its intersection. There is also existing of statues that

act as decorations at the side along each column. White color is the dominant color for the

interior and exterior of the church in order to promote its pureness. The existing of clerestory

window along the side of aisle is made of stained glass with figured drawing in. Each panel

typically shows the themes of Rosary in narrative way with elegant arrangement of figure.

Besides, the tinted glasses also improve the details of the church and create a paradise effect

for the interior space. On the upper part of the church, there are three rose windows that made

of colorful stained glasses. The pattern of the rose window contains only six petals each. 28

sets of stained glass panels were added depict 20 mysteries of the Rosary for the centennial

celebration. These projects of installation of stained glass panels was carry out due to

considered about the original old wooden louvers and window frame were found to be

terminate- infested. During the construction, the chairperson and committee focuses on the

details in overall image, design, font type for words, uses of colors and pattern for different

section or mystery stations. 8 panels of design for Rosary were also created. The aisle windows

were placed below the clerestory window, where it provides enough natural sunlight to

penetrate in. The entrance door to the interior space of the church is made to a smaller size to

create a effect of entering into a larger and wider space. This also means to classify the

hierarchy of human and god, also to encourage respect from the parishioner to their god.

Figure (2.1.1) Additional gothic style elements seen from East view

Aisle with Stained Glass

Entrance

Triangular Parapet

Lancet Window

Drop cornice molding

Steeple

Finial

Pinnacles

Lancet Window (Geometrical Tracery)

Lancet Door

Projecting Bell Tower

Figure(2.1.2) Main Entrance of Holy Rosary Church

Altar

Transept

Figure (2.1.3) Altar and playground

Figure (2.1.4) Interior View to Nave and Aisle

2.2 Comparative Study to Western Example

In the sense of Gothic style church, Holy Rosary Church has some similarity in features

of elements to Westminster Abbey in England. Westminster Abbey is a large collegiate Gothic

Church of St Peter in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of

Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English. The abbey is

a Royal Peculiar and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550. There are a total

of six architects for this building who are Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, John of

Gloucester ,Robert of Beverley and Henry of Reyns. A spacious area between the high altar

and the beginning of the quire was necessary to provide a ‘theatre’ where coronations could

take place. The stonework (which came from Caen in France and Reigate in Surrey), the

sculptured roof bosses and the other carvings would have been brightly coloured and the wall

arcades may have been decorated in vermilion and gold. The walls were adorned with fine

paintings, and two, depicting St Thomas and St Christopher, were rediscovered in the 1930s.

Some of the original colour on the censing angels in the south transept was discovered at about

the same time. Brilliant ruby and sapphire glass, with heraldic shields set in a grisaille pattern,

filled the windows. The chapel screens and tombs added to the display of colour. By 1269 the

apse, radiating chapels, transepts and choir were complete. Holy Rosary has smaller scale

compare to Abbey which has larger scale of 102ft height and its interior is figurative. This is

because it serves a large number of Christian community as England is a country where it has

70% of Christian as well as to show the greatness of their god.

Analyse through both churches internally and externally, the stonework is decorated

with carvings, particularly the capitals as sculptural decoration. Meanwhile, elements such as

Figure (2.1.5) Interior view of Altar, Rose windows with stained glass panels, statues and and transepts

pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, stained glass, transept, steeple and lantern are obviously

identified through the façade of churches. These elements have their function as supporter of

the building and also to create an unique look which is symbolic. The visitors' entrance is on the

North transept under the rose window. The roof looks like tent-lantern built with lead on an iron

frame. Flying buttresses on the exterior of the nave take the thrust of the walls to enable the roof

to be raised to a height of 101 foot. It also has the highest Gothic vault in England (nearly 102

feet).

Conclusion

Overall, the Holy Rosary Church is one of the most unique church in Malaysia because

of its Neo- Gothic styles and elements. Holy Rosary Church in the early years was flat in roof,

no wings were added and no electricity supply until now enlarge by addition of transepts,

original timber ceiling replaced by plaster vaulting and ribbed vault and flying buttresses are

added. The building is an arresting sight as it boasts of elaborate Gothic features. Both its sides

are lined with stained- glass windows and there are mandarin characters on its façade, a legacy

of the influence of its early parishioners.

In 1904, right after the church was finished built by Father Francis Emile Terrein and Rev J

L Lambert, Pr. E. Brossard take care of the church in 1914 until 1928. Right after that, Father

Girrard took over and take care of the church during Japanese Occupations in 1904. Then

Father Mosses Koh took over and restored the church. In the present, Father John

Gnanapiragasam took over it. Now, they conducted Saturday Sunset Fellowship every

Saturday.

Refrences

Jean. N (2012) Lecture 4: Gothic Architecture[Powerpoint Slides]. Retrieved from Taylors University

Bachelor(Hons) of Architecture : http://times.taylors.edu.my/

Gothic Architecture (2013) In Wikipedia. Retrieved 3rd June, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture