Churches, Chapels & Cathedrals in Penang

The Churches & Cathedrals of Penang can trace their origin from the time the British settled here to open the island as a free port. Within a few decades since the establishment of George Town, the first churches in Penang have already been built. In addition to the Church of England, which exists to this day as the St George's Anglican Church on Farquhar Street (Lebuh Farquhar), other communities were also building churches in Penang. This includes the Eurasian Catholics who fled Phuket to escape religious persecution. They were invited to settle in Penang. Among them was Martina Rozells, said to be Francis Light's wife.

The Catholic church was initially located in what is now Church Street (Lebuh Gereja), with the bishop dwelling at what is now Bishop Street (Lebuh Bishop). They eventually moved with the construction of the Church of Assumption, today the Cathedral of Assumption, along Lebuh Farquhar. In the earlier days, the congregation worshipping at the Church of Assumption lived along Argus Lane behind the church.

Today the descendents of most of the Eurasians have left Penang to live elsewhere. The churches in Penang are mostly attended by the locals, namely the Chinese and Indians who have embraced Christianity.

On this page I list out the churches that I have been able to identify and describe. For the churches across Malaysia, see my list of the Churches in Malaysia.

List of Churches in Malaysia