St. Peter’s Church

The new St. Peter's Church incorporates Gothic design elements, establishing its presence in Kuching cityscape

The new St. Peter's Church is a Gothic-inspired masterpiece that rises in the heart of Kuching, a modern city rich in culture and heritage. Its design features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, enormous stained-glass windows, and detailed ornamentation, establishing it as a prominent landmark addition to the cityscape. Moreover, this architectural style is reminiscent of the historic St. Joseph Cathedral, which honours the heritage of Christianity in Kuching.

The church’s design, inspired by St. Joseph’s Cathedral, celebrates the Christian heritage as part of Kuching’s multicultural history

The development of St. Peter’s Church was carried out in two stages

Stage 1 included a columbarium completed in 2018, while Stage 2 is the expanded St. Peter's Church with seating for over 1,000

The development of St. Peter’s Church was carried out in stages. Stage 1, completed in 2018, included a columbarium with a capacity for up to 5,000 urns. Stage 2 comprised the construction of the church itself.

The original design, created in 2014 by the late architect Yong Nyan Ted, proposed a single-storey structure with space for 800 people. In 2017, the design was revised to include a new façade, lending the building a more prestigious and commanding presence. Following these changes, the church can now accommodate over 1,000 parishioners.

The interior design reflects elements of the original historic St Peter’s Church

One of the striking features includes the intricate stained glass that was entirely handcrafted and installed by Italian artisans

St. Peter’s Church is a celebration of craftsmanship, paying homage to the traditions of religious architecture and artisan skill

Inside, the design reflects elements of the original historic St. Peter’s Church, most notably through the use of exposed trusses that add dimension and character to the interior. The intricate stained glass were entirely handcrafted and installed by Italian artisans over a five-year period, depict key moments from Christ’s life, including the Stations of the Cross, Mother Mary and Joseph, the Last Supper, and St. Peter. In addition to the stained glass, the church also features woodwork that was manually crafted by local suppliers and contractors.

Text by the architect

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 
  • Architect : Architect DesignPractice
    Client : The Archbishop of Catholic Church
    Area : 2,205 m²
    Project Location : Kuching | Sarawak
    Year : 2024

  • C&S Engineer : GBU Consultant
    M&E Engineer : Perunding E-Mechs
    Quantity Surveyor : PUBM Quantity Surveyors
    Interior Designer : F+L Associates
    Design Team : Architect DesignPractice
    Photography : Bertram Tua

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