Stadthuys and Christchurch

This Christ Church is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia. The construction of this began in 1741 on the centennial of the Dutch occupation and it was finally completed in 1753. Before this date, the Dutch used the old Portuguese church atop St Paul’s hill for their religious services. There were a lot of tourists in the area and lots of stalls with souvenirs and small arts and crafts such as a kaleidoscope. The things sold in the area were over priced and bargaining was difficult. There were lots of flowers and plants in the area and it added colour to the red ambience created by the 2-3 huge red buildings of Christchurch. Trishaws were also around. Many in the vicinity but those not taken with tourists were parked at the side lines, opposite the Church’s front entrance.

Stadthuys is the oldest and largest building surviving in Southeast Asia from the early Dutch colonial era. It covers 9,200 square feet (including annexes) and the building practically forms its own streetscape.