Singapore has a long history before achieving their ‘independence’. During World War II, Singapore was a British colony. However, Japan, which at that time was colonizing Southeast Asia, also wanted to ‘occupy’ Singapore.
On February 15, 1942, one of the actions taken by the Japanese to ‘seize’ Singapore from the British was to ‘drop bombs’ on key areas in Singapore. One of them is the ‘Chijmes Church’. In the end the church was badly damaged, the orphanage and the school in it were also damaged from the bombs dropped by the Japanese.
The ‘Chijmes Church’ is a very ‘sacred’ Catholic Church in Singapore. Founded around 1854, initiated by the French Pastor, namely Reverend Jean-Marie Beurel. The Chijmes Church building adapts from the ‘Neo-Gothic style’, with the characteristics of large buildings and ‘pointed arches’. The purpose of establishing Chijmes Church at that time was to protect the Catholic community in Singapore. Starting from places of worship, schools, to orphanages.
After 80 years of this sad event, Chijmes Church is now transformed into one of Singapore’s National Monuments. Foreign tourists can visit the Chijmes building for free. To ‘satisfy’ the tourists who come to visit, we can enjoy the restaurants that are open around the Chijmes area. Starting from Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, and other restaurants.
Besides that, Chijmes is also one of the spots for taking photos, making videos, or even just ‘hanging out’. And one of the rooms inside Chijmes can also be rented for weddings.
It turns out that the history of Chijmes in Singapore is very interesting!
Are you interested in traveling there?