Main entrance to the church
and paving at the side of the building are faced with black river rocks.
Bands of glass fixed to the metal frames behind the cross at the roof apex stress the structural separation of the back portion from the front portion of the roof and direct sunlight on to the sanctuary below.
The sanctuary itself measures 30ft. x 40ft., embodying an altar 6ft. x 6ft. right at its centre and an ambo with the bishop's seat behind. The altar consists of a square top of white marble and a square support of white cement, while the sanctuary floor is of Ruabon heather brown tiles.
Two timber swing doors, each 6ft. 3in. wide, open into the sacristy be- hind the sanctuary. The sacristy, 50ft. long and 20ft. wide, is divided into two sections for priests and altar boys.
To avoid the choir gallery forming a barrier between the sanctuary and the people, the architect has placed it behind and above the sanctuary, can- tilevering over the bishop's seat. The gallery can be reached by spiral stair- case from the sacristy.
Grilled doors are installed at the main cathedral entrance on the west and at the two side entrances, north and south. Walls too are grilled, and framed within them between every two columns are colourful stained glass panels depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. These were executed by stu- dents under Mrs. S. Dunsmore. The
grilled walls and the high roofing system give the building excellent ventilation and light.
—
There are six rows of pews, two along each of the side aisles and two along the front aisle. Seating for 1,000 is provided 300 in each of the two side aisles and 400 in the front aisle. An ambulatory surrounds the seats to allow free movement and ample space for Stations of the Cross services.
The side altar and baptistry are planned on each side of the main en- trance, with seating capacity for 50 persons a side. The font should have its own defined place in the church, according to the liturgy, and here the baptistry is separated from the main portion of the cathedral by concrete railings.
The floor of the baptistry, a 12ft. square, is also of Ruabon heather brown tiles and the cylindrical con- crete font, 3ft. high and 21⁄21⁄2ft. in dia- meter, is placed right at its centre.
Parallel to the baptistry on the other side of the main aisle is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. This is also separated from the sanctuary and the other parts of the cathedral by concrete railings and is connected to them by a staircase built parallel to the north aisle. The chapel altar stands at the centre of a tiled, concrete plat- form, 12ft. square, and the sanctuary lamp stands on a circular red-copper base, which is itself suspended from
the roof.
—
There are four confessionals in the cathedral one in front of the bap- tistry, one in the chapel and two along the ambulatory of the side aisles. Their twin compartments are sound-proofed and rattan strips cover the entrance to each compartment to maintain privacy.
Only three statues are to be found in the building. They all bear eastern features and are carved from 'kayu marbau' by Mr. Matthew Teo and Mr. Leong Hin Lin. The crucifix is sup- ported on a slim metal stand just in front of the high altar. A statue of St. Joseph the Worker stands in a niche in the chapel and one of the Madonna and Child in the baptistry.
The campanile 80ft. to the north- west of the cathedral, has a trio of bells fixed at the top of 71ft. high, slim reinforced slim reinforced concrete structure. With the external car parking area it is designed as part of the forecourt arrangement and is reached by a pedes- trian walk constructed in red bricks.
Contractors
Shrikat Wei Tah Construction was the main contractor for the project. Sub-contractors included:
der
Kho Kak Beng Steelworker & Wel-
steel frame erection. Sin Ming Furniture & Woodworking Factory - pews and furniture.
Kuching Electric Works - electrical installation.
16
Far East BUILDER, August 1969
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.