St Joseph’s Church

The St Joseph’s Church, Singapore is a Roman Catholic Church and is located in the center of the city and in close proximity to the central business district along Victoria Street in the Rochor Planning Area.

The foundation stone of this church was laid in the year 1904 and on it the construction started from 1906 and continued till 1912. This church was built on the Gothic style by the Portuguese Mission and since then this edifice stands as a major tourist attractions in Singapore. St Joseph's Church in Singapore was acclaimed as a national monument on the 14th January 2005.

The most noted aspect of the St. Joseph’s Church, Singapore is the annual Good Friday procession that starts from this venue.

The history of St. Joseph's Church in Singapore is quite interesting because of the fact that two churches have been built on the same site after the former was pulled down. The church which was first built on this site was called the Church of Sí£o Josí©, this church too was built by the Portuguese Mission. The Portuguese Mission was taken to Singapore by Father Francisco da Silva Pinto e Maia of Porto who was the head of the Portuguese Mission.

With his death in the year 1850, the money that he left for the cause of building a church was well utilized and the fund was further augmented by the King of Portugal. The church of Sao Jose was built by the Reverend Vincente de Sante Catharina in between the year 1851 to 1853. In the year 1906, the Church of Sí£o Josí© was pulled down to build the St. Joseph's Church. Swan & MacLaren took the responsibility of erecting this church on the site.

The stained glass windows, the central octagonal tower, the two smaller towers and the dome form the basic structure of the St. Joseph's Church. There is also a prayer hall, ceremonial hall and the priest quarters within the premise of the church.

The St. Joseph’s Church in Singapore also had schools for boys and girls. St. Anthony’s Boys' and girls’school was opened by Father Josí© Pedro Sta. In the year 1999, the Portuguese Mission handed over the management and responsibility of looking after the St. Joseph's Church to the Archdiocese of Singapore. This church has also served as an exhibition venue for the Singapore Biennale, Singapore's inaugural international biennale of contemporary art.

A short walk from Bugis MRT Station takes one to the venue or people can also board the SBS buses to reach St. Joseph’s church in Singapore.

Address of the St. Joseph’s Church in Singapore is:
143 Victoria Street Singapore 188020