Inaugurated in 1971 by the first Archbishop of Singapore Michel Olcomendy, the Church of the Risen Christ was the first Catholic church in Toa Payoh. The church derives its name from the Christian belief in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and subsequent resurrection from the dead.
In the late 1960s, the Catholic community of Toa Payoh held religious and social activities at Ho Ping Centre at Block 82 Lorong 4 and at a Housing & Development Board function hall. Under the leadership of the church’s first priest Fr. Pierre Abrial, the community raised some $450,000 for the construction of the current church building.
The church has held Masses in English, Mandarin and Tamil since the 1970s. Beyond well-known festivals such as Christmas and Easter, the church also celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Velankanni. In recent decades, the church has observed Simbang Gabi, a traditional nine-day Christmas devotional celebration practiced by its Filipino parishioners.
Like other religious institutions in Toa Payoh, the Church of the Risen Christ has been a pillar of support in the social development of Toa Payoh, having organised childcare groups, tuition classes and other community care programmes in the early years of the town.
Explore the Suggested Short Trail Routes:
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Of Public Housing & Shared Spaces, 1.5 hours on foot (4.5 km)
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Of Faiths & Beliefs, 2 hours with public transport (6 km)
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Of Community Institutions & Common Spaces, 0.5 hours on foot (1.5 km)
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