By Yasmin Ramlan
OUR Lady of Lourdes Church in Klang was built almost a century ago, standing tall and proud in the middle of the city as a historical landmark in Selangor and one of the most photographed buildings in the royal town.
In conjunction with Christmas, Selangor Journal interviewed its parish priest, Reverend Father Gregory Chan, to find out more about the church that was built in 1928 by Reverend Father Jean Baptist Souhait from France.
According to Chan, Souhait had studied architecture in his early studies in France before joining the priesthood.
In 1923, Souhait was entrusted with overseeing the spiritual needs of Catholics in Klang and its neighbouring districts, including Kuala Selangor and Kuala Langat.
Recognising the need for a permanent church building, he took steps to secure the present site.
“Work to build Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which commenced in 1925, was only completed in August 1928.
“When designing the present church, he (Souhait) had his mind and heart set on having the church modelled along the lines of the famous Gothic-style church in Lourdes, France,” said Chan.
Klang, once the capital of Selangor, is now a city with a diverse population and is rich for its historical and cultural heritage.
Renowned for landmarks like the vibrant Little India district, Klang reflects a tapestry of ethnic influences.
The town area also served as a major port and trading hub for decades.
Chan shared that the land where the church now stands, on Jalan Tengku Kelana, was predominantly covered in jungle in 1923, with wild animals freely roaming the area.
“Before its construction, the area was bustling with Chinese and Indian traders. Interestingly, the area was once a jungle, inhabited by tigers and elephants.
“This was about 100 years ago, and the church was surrounded by several villages then.
“Now Our Lady of Lourdes has grown beyond being just a church; we have Sekolah Menengah Convent, a preschool, a college, and ample parking space here, too,” he said.
Upkeeping devotion
During the interview, Chan took Selangor Journal on a tour of the church, including the original man-made grotto, built in 1928, that has remained in its initial location.
“Throughout the years, the church has undergone various renovations and enhancements, specifically tailored to accommodate the increasing number of devoted parishioners who gather for prayer and devotions,” he said.
Every week, the church accommodates 400 parishioners in its services.
To sustain the 95-year-old church, he said it requires an annual expenditure of approximately RM200,000 for various maintenance aspects, including painting, roofing, parking facilities, and other necessities.
However, he said each year, there is an allocation of up to RM50,000 from the state that is channelled through the Klang MP to keep the church going.
“We received (the cash aid) even in previous years, since the time of former MP Charles Santiago and up till now, Ganabatirau (Veraman),” he said.
Chan added that to ensure the safety of its parishioners, including senior citizens, there is a need to install interlocking bricks due to uneven surfaces in the church compound.
Additionally, he said repair works are needed at the badminton court, which has been in a dilapidated state for some time, and that the application for some funds has already been submitted.
During the tabling of the 2024 Madani Budget in October, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM50 million allocation for the renovation and maintenance of registered non-Muslim places of worship.
This would undoubtedly assist Our Lady of Lourdes Church in its upkeep.
No taking chances
For the 2023 Christmas celebrations, Chan said it would be celebrated like past years, where a warm welcome is extended to all who come, and food is provided to those in need.
Elaborating further, he said canopies will be set up outside the church building to accommodate parishioners, ensuring a festive and comfortable environment for all.
Nevertheless, he urged everyone to exercise additional precautionary measures by wearing face masks, given the recent surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
“Even four weeks before Christmas, we had already started practising wearing face masks.
“On the day of the Christmas celebration, all caterers will also be required to wear face masks. We must remain vigilant.
“However, there will be no restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend the Christmas celebration here, unless we are instructed to do so,” he said.
On December 18, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that a total of 20,696 Covid-19 cases were reported from December 10 to 16.
While acknowledging concerns, he said the government does not intend to reinstate restrictions such as imposing movement control orders.
