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The Redemptorist Fathers And The Novena Chapel - Part 1
The early seed of the foundations of the Redemptorists in Ipoh was sown by Father Jim Wallace CSsR and Father Tom Creede CSsR when they gave a mission in St Michael’s Church in 1959.
In early 1960 the seed began to grow when a team of Missioners, Priests and Brothers arrived to start the foundation at 31 Tambun Road, previously a house owned by the French tin mining Company Tekka. This house then came to be known as Mater Domini. In June 1960 the Bishop of Penang gave formal recognition to the establishment of the Redemptorist Community in Ipoh.
At Mater Domini, the congregation in Ipoh grew; besides the Masses, many were also attracted to the Novena Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Many Novena sessions were held on Saturdays to cater for the increasing numbers of Catholics from St Michael’s parish and Our Lady of Lourdes’ parish. These parishioners were from various backgrounds and language groups and non-Catholics were also congregating for these sessions - which was in line with St Alphonsus’ vision of making the mass available to everyone.
But the chapel was small and could not accommodate too many at one time and many had to stand outside the chapel in the grounds and often spreading across the road. The Novena mass became so popular that on the feast day of Our Mother Mary the celebrations were very grand with uniformed groups of students from local schools and convents and beautiful floral floats in the procession.
With the expansion of Ipoh Garden and Canning Garden bringing in more people, there was mounting pressure for the Redemptorists to have their own parish in the area. In 1966 an agreement was made with the Bishop of Penang for this to take place. But now they needed a church. Consequently a building fund committee was formed to raise funds so that the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH) could become a reality. It did, on the 15th April 1972 when the Archbishop of Singapore, Rt Rev Gregory Yong (then Bishop of Penang) blessed and opened the new church which has gone from strength to strength. But that is another story.
The photograph of the house on the left, donated by Ruth Rollit, was taken when it was still a Tekka Company home. The remaining two show the crowds that simply could not fit into the chapel for the Novena Mass. Ruth added :
"The Tekka house was designed by my father B M Iversen pre-war. It was eventually demolished and the Heritage Hotel stands where it once graced Tambun Road."
To go to Part 2, click here
To read more about Berthel Michael Iversen, click here
To read about the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, click here
To read more about St Michael's Catholic Church, click here