Christ Church, Melaka

Christ Church is Malaysia’s oldest functioning Protestant church. In 1741, Melaka’s Dutch burgher community decided to replace the aging Upper Church on Saint Paul’s Hill. The foundation stone of the new church was laid by Abraham de Wind, a Melaka-born captain of the local burghers, on behalf of his father, Claas de Wind. After 12 years of construction, the church was completed in 1753 and replaced the Upper Church as the principal Dutch Reformed place of worship in Dutch-ruled Melaka.

Following the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, Melaka was transferred to British control. In 1838, the building was reconsecrated according to the rites of the Church of England by the Right Reverend Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta, and renamed Christ Church. Responsibility for maintaining the church passed to the Government of the Straits Settlements in 1858.

Originally painted white, Christ Church and the neighboring City Hall were given their distinctive red color in 1911. The color scheme has since become closely associated with Melaka’s Dutch-era architecture. Designed in the Dutch colonial style, Christ Church has a simple rectangular plan measuring 82 by 42 feet. Its ceiling rises to approximately 40 feet and is supported by massive wooden beams, each hewn from a single tree trunk. Following the British takeover of Melaka, the original Dutch windows were reduced in size and decorated. The porch and vestry were also added during the mid-19th century.

Today, it serves as an Anglican pro-cathedral within the Diocese of West Malaysia. It remains an active place of worship where regular church services are held.