CATHOLIC CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Description
"Over a century of history and heritage has shaped the Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception. Originating as a chapel built in the year 1883 by the late Rev. Fr. C. Saleilles, M.A.P., it was named “Our Lady of Lourdes”. Rev Fr. Saleilles who travelled by boat from Singapore contributed to the establishment of Johor in 1881 by administering to the needs of Catholic families. He was generous to the poor and his acts of kindness were noticed by His Highness Sultan Abu Bakar who graciously granted a piece of land for a church. In 1883, the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes was inaugurated. The building was later used as a funeral parlour. The present Church of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) was built by Rev. Fr. M Duvelle, and blessed by Bishop Barillon at the end of 1921, when there was only a wooden bridge linking Johor and Singapore. Today, it is the oldest church in this city."
