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1. 1.0 Introduction
1.1 Fast Fact of Building
Holy Rosary Church is one of the most unique Neo-Gothic style church in Malaysia ,which is
located at 10, JalanTunSambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur. It was constructed by a French
missionary, Father Francis Emile Terrien who was once in charge of the Catholic Chinese
community in Kuala Lumpur. He was later be given a mission to construct out a new church in
his area with the assistance of Father Lambert. The establishment of this church is use to cater
the needs of the Christian Chinese community. Father Terrien found a land which is much
suitable to build the church which is on sale and the land is next to the HIJ Convent (now exist
as the Telekom building at Brickfield Road). In order to buy the land, they borrowed some
money and gathered some of the funds from the parish of St. John and the Chinese community.
The land was paid on 31st
July with the loan reimbursed and the plan for the church was
prepared. For the following 18 months, Father Terrien and Father Lumbert drew up the plan and
worked non-stop to build up the Holy Rosary Church. In November, 1904 the church was
completed and it was blessed on Dec 18 Bishop Barillon. The function of the church is to serve
the needs of large Chinese community who accepted God through the Catholic faith by worship
Him.
1.2 Contextual Condition
Contextual condition that changes in between the period of 1903 -1995 and 1955- present of
the church can view from few aspects. In physical aspect, 1950 the church was renovated and
extended by Father Moses Koh due to several parts of the building were damaged during the
period of Japanese Occupation. The church from a flat roof design is further enlarged and with
the addition of wing during the extension of the church by local contractor and architect. Besides
that, a temporary attap building and altar was erected on the present kindergarten playground
behind the church. The renovation accomplish in 1951. In 1955, the church enlarged with the
addition of transepts and spire by Architect Robert B. Pereira. This addition follows the existing
feature of Gothic style. The interior of the church, original is timber ceiling was later replaced by
the plaster vaulting. The mandarin form writing characters is added on the façade for the
chinese parishioners to understand and recognize the church. Beautiful stained glass is also
added in the sanctuary and 20 more stained glass panels are added by the side along the aisle
to replace the hundred year old wooden louvers and window frame which were found to be
termites infested. In political aspect, the church had been ruled by the Japanese during

2. Japanese occupation and from the present time the church is now under local authority,
DewanBandaraya Kuala Lumpur.
1.3 The Architect/Concept/Idea
Holy Rosary Church from started to built till renovation had involved quite a numbers of
architect. Which include Father Francis Emile Terrien, Father Lumbert, local Malaysian architect
and Architect Robert B Pereira for the renovation of church to take place.Depicts, many Gothic
featured of churches of European with the use of high windows, a steeple and emphasis on
vertical design concept was applied on this church. Gothic style element also implied in both
interior and exterior of the church. Such as present of finials, pinnaclessteeply slope gable roof,
lantern, lancet window and lancet door with decorative tracery, geometrical tracery window,
parapet, clerestory window, steeple and projecting bell tower. Besides that, Holy Rosary Church
have the similar floor plan of Gothic style which have nave and double aisles which led to the
transepts that placing at the both sides and with a central apse.
Figure (1.3.1) Northview(front) of Holy Rosary Church Figure(1.3.2) East view (left hand side from front view)

3. 2.0 Building Analysis
2.1 Architectural Elements
There are only a few historical churches in Malaysia with impressive Gothic designs and
values which incorporated into the building. Holy Rosary Church is the only church in Malaysia
which shows the strongest influence design of Gothic Architecture. One of the most prominent
elements that show in this church is pointed arch. Pointed arches can be seen very obvious
from the front façade of the Holy Rosary Church. It exists in five repetition layers on the arches
which enhance the detail appearance of the church.
Exterior
After the renovation at 1955, the church is added in new feature that more similar to Gothic
church which adapted from the England Gothic style architecture. New feature that added in
were wing on both side and aisles and altar. Beside that, the flat roof of Holy Rosary Church is
later being replaced with a pitch gable roof.The modern features such as air vents can be found
below the geometrical tracery of aisle window in order to improve the air circulation inside the
church. Besides, the window around the church had an opening cover made up of timber, like
louvers and steel grills. It is specially design in correspond to the climate in Malaysia. The
architecture element of Gothic also shows in this church such as steeple on the highest part of
the bell tower. The steeple is surrounding by the 4 finials by the sides. The lantern is just located
at the bottom of the center of the projecting bell tower. 2 pinnacles is place at the both side of
the façade. 3 lancet windows with geometrical tracery is well arrange on the top of the main
entrance of the church. To enter into the church one will pass through the lancet doors. For the
side transepts of the church, also act as a side entrance into the church. Where the triangle
parapet can be seen at the top roof and follow by drop cornice molding surround by the side.
Below it was the 3 clerestory windows and the bottom entrance is where the lancet doors with
pointed arch are constructed.
Interior
In 1883, Holy Rosary Church was originated the temporary attap and altar where the ceiling was
built up from timber ceiling which was now replace by the plaster vaulting. The structure of the
church was used vault system instead of beams. Rib vault ceiling was used to connect each
other at the centre points of its intersection. There is also existing of statues that act as
decorations at the side along each column. White color is the dominant color for the interior and
exterior of the church in order to promote its pureness. The existing of clerestory window along

4. the side of aisle is made of stained glass with figured drawing in. Each panel typically shows the
themes of Rosary in narrative way with elegant arrangement offigure. Besides, the tinted
glasses also improve the details of the church and create a paradise effect for the interior space.
On the upper part of the church, there are three rose windows that made of colorful stained
glasses. The pattern of the rose window contains only six petals each.28 sets of stained glass
panels were added depict 20 mysteries of the Rosary for the centennial celebration. These
projects of installation of stained glass panels was carry out due to considered about the original
old wooden louvers and window frame were found to be terminate- infested. During the
construction,the chairperson and committee focuses on the details in overall image, design,font
type for words, uses of colors and pattern for different section or mystery stations. 8 panels of
design for Rosary were also created. The aisle windows were placed below the clerestory
window, where it provides enough natural sunlight to penetrate in. The entrance door to the
interior space of the church is made to a smaller size to create a effect of entering into a larger
and wider space. This also means to classify the hierarchy of human and god, also to
encourage respect from the parishioner to their god.
Figure (2.1.1) Additional gothic style elements seen from East view
Aisle with Stained Glass
Entrance
Triangular Parapet
Lancet Window
Drop cornice molding

5. Steeple
Finial
Pinnacles
Lancet Window
(Geometrical Tracery)
Lancet Door
Projecting Bell
Tower
Figure(2.1.2) Main Entrance of Holy Rosary Church
Altar
Transept
Figure (2.1.3) Altar and playground
Figure (2.1.4) Interior View to Nave and Aisle

6. 2.2 Comparative Study to Western Example
In the sense of Gothic style church, Holy Rosary Church has some similarity in features
of elements to Westminster Abbey in England. Westminster Abbey is a large collegiate Gothic
Church of St Peter in the City of Westminster, London, located just to the west of the Palace of
Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English. The abbey is
a Royal Peculiar and briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1540 to 1550. There are a total
of six architects for this building who are Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, John of
Gloucester ,Robert of Beverley and Henry of Reyns. A spacious area between the high altar
and the beginning of the quire was necessary to provide a ‘theatre’ where coronations could
take place. The stonework (which came from Caen in France and Reigate in Surrey), the
sculptured roof bosses and the other carvings would have been brightly coloured and the wall
arcades may have been decorated in vermilion and gold. The walls were adorned with fine
paintings, and two, depicting St Thomas and St Christopher, were rediscovered in the 1930s.
Some of the original colour on the censing angels in the south transept was discovered at about
the same time. Brilliant ruby and sapphire glass, with heraldic shields set in a grisaille pattern,
filled the windows. The chapel screens and tombs added to the display of colour. By 1269 the
apse, radiating chapels, transepts and choir were complete. Holy Rosary has smaller scale
compare to Abbey which has larger scale of 102ft height and its interior is figurative. This is
because it serves a large number of Christian community as England is a country where it has
70% of Christian as well as to show the greatness of their god.
Analyse through both churches internally and externally, the stonework is decorated
with carvings, particularly the capitals as sculptural decoration. Meanwhile, elements such as
Figure (2.1.5) Interior view of Altar, Rose windows with stained glass panels, statues andand transepts

7. pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, stained glass, transept, steeple and lantern are obviously
identified through the façade of churches. These elements have their function as supporter of
the building and also to create an unique look which is symbolic. The visitors' entrance is on the
North transept under the rose window. The roof looks like tent-lantern built with lead on an iron
frame. Flying buttresses on the exterior of the nave take the thrust of the walls to enable the roof
to be raised to a height of 101 foot. It also has the highest Gothic vault in England (nearly 102
feet).
Conclusion
Overall, the Holy Rosary Church is one of the most unique church in Malaysia because
of its Neo- Gothic styles and elements. Holy Rosary Church in the early years was flat in roof,
no wings were added and no electricity supply until now enlarge by addition of transepts,
original timber ceiling replaced by plaster vaulting and ribbed vault and flying buttresses are
added. The building is an arresting sight as it boasts of elaborate Gothic features. Both its sides
are lined with stained- glass windows and there are mandarin characters on its façade, a legacy
of the influence of its early parishioners.
In 1904, right after the church was finished built by Father Francis Emile Terrein and Rev J
L Lambert, Pr. E. Brossard take care of the church in 1914 until 1928. Right after that, Father
Girrard took over and take care of the church during Japanese Occupations in 1904. Then
Father MossesKoh took over and restored the church. In the present, Father John
Gnanapiragasam took over it. Now, they conducted Saturday Sunset Fellowship every Saturday.
Refrences
Jean. N (2012) Lecture 4: Gothic Architecture[Powerpoint Slides]. Retrieved from Taylors University
Bachelor(Hons) of Architecture : http://times.taylors.edu.my/
Gothic Architecture (2013)In Wikipedia. Retrieved 3rd
June, 2013,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture