The St George's Church

The Church of St George the Martyr in Farquhar Street, Penang, celebrates their bicentenary or 200th anniversary today. That's coming three years after Penang Free School had their own Bicentenary celebrations in 2016. Both institutions, the St George's Church and Penang Free School, have a common denominator in Robert Sparke Hutchings. While Hutchings was very well known as the man who founded the Free School, less is known about his role in the establishment of this Anglican church. But it was during his time in Penang that the Church's foundation stone was laid.

In May 1956, there appeared in The Straits Times, a long article about the St George's Church. As it is rather difficult to read the story from the picture, here it is reproduced below. J.G. at the end of the article would be the initials of the Rev. Jack Griffiths. He was the chaplain of the St George's Church from 1953 to 1956.

THE Great  Charter granted by King James I of England in 1609 had commanded the East India Company among other things, that the Company should maintain ministers and schoolmasters for their garrisons and factories in the East Indies.

It was not until two hundred years later that steps were taken to appoint a bishop and three archdeacons in India. Then in 1800, the then Governor Sir George Leith, appointed George Caunter as lay chaplain at Penang, a post equivalent to that of a lay preacher of today. Soon the Governor felt that without a priest there could be no sacramental life for the community and accordingly put up a case for the Court of Directors.

And so, the Rev. Atwill Lake was appointed chaplain, and one Thomas Cullen as clerk and schoolmaster at Penang. Orders had also been given that as soon as convenient work should begin on the erection of a church building.

Unfortunately there was some delay, however, as the seemingly more important projects of a jail, an arsenal and a garrison had to be completed first.

It is presumed that between 1800, and 1818 when the new church was built, church services were held at Fort Cornwallis, in a chapel there or in a 'convenient room.'

The real pioneer of the Anglican church in Penang was the Rev. Robert Hutchings. In October 1816, he opened a small Free School in Love Lane, thus establishing the oldest and one of the most important schools in Malaya.

It was during Robert's ministry in Penang that the foundation stone of the church of St George the Martyr was laid. The church cost the East India Company $60,000. It was built by convict labour.

The unfortunate results of having a church built for and given to the community were mentioned by the Rev. John H. Smith in a lecture during the centenary celebrations of its consecration.

"...she was by her official constitution more or less moribund, her operations were restricted, in a word, she suffered from an accentuated form of establishment," he said.

He observed that the personal activity of several of the chaplains in Penang, as in Singapore and Malacca, had overflowed the official cup.

In his Glimpses Into Life In The Far East, J.T. Thompson makes reference to St George's Church and its parishioners during 1838-41.

"Let us enter the church," he writes, "at Sunday morning service. The interior is in the finest taste fitted for the climate. The pews are not boxed in, but an open railing closes round each.

"The smallest breath of air can flow through the nave. It is fitted up with the most scrupulous care for the comfort of the congregation.

"Two boys pulled long punkahs overhead while another pumped air into the organ up in the gallery. Of the 300-400 seats, only 20 were occupied. A few men had come from the garrison.

"But now the organ peels forth its soul-inspiring strains and the clergyman and his clerk enter....the responses are read by the clerk with flippant air, nor do the congregation join in any way whatsoever.

"His insincere communication of earnest supplicants have no seconders. All is as silent as the sepulchure.

"The Psalms are given out; our clerk does not condescend to sing, nor do the congregation. The sermon is short, dull and impractical, sleepy and unattractive. This over, no charity is asked....the syces bring out conveyances underneath the portico, and we disperse.

"And does this curate of souls visit his people? No. What does he do? He plants nutmegs....He is the burra padre, a great man's priest...."

Many tablets and memorials were put up along the inside walls of the church before and after the erection of the Francis Light monument in the compound.

Amongst those whom they commemorated were Lord Cornwallis, Governor-General of India in 1786, Dr John Ross, one of the earliest private medical practitioners in Penang, and the Rev. L.C. Biggs, who founded the Chinese Mission.

One of the most interesting of these memorials, the Black Memorial, was in the chancel, and marked the only interment to take place in the church itself. It was to "Harriet, wife of Robert Fullerton, Governor of Penang Island."

In the centenary number of the Pinang Gazette, published in 1933, the late Rev. Keppel Garnier writes: "....she died in 1830, aged 48, and the story goes that she was not a kind mistress to the household slaves.

"In fact, they hated her so bitterly that they declared that when she died they would never let her bones rest in peace.

"This threat was taken so seriously that when she came to die, her husband arranged for a mock ceremony in the cemetery, and later, after dark the same night, the real coffin was lowered into a space dug in the chancel floor, and the service was held over the mortal remains by the light of a candle and in the presence of her husband only...."

It was the Bishop of Calcutta, Bishop Middleton, who consecrated St George's Church on May 11, 1819.

In 1858 the old East India Company ceased to exist, and India became subject to the Crown. In 1867 the Straits Settlements were detached from oversight by the Indian Government and became a Crown Colony.

In 1869 Penang severed its ecclesiastical ties with the Indian Government and came under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Bishop of Labuan. In the following year St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore, was declared the Peninsular Cathedral of the diocese.

St George's Church was the first Anglican Church in Malaya despite the fact that Christ Church, Malacca, is fifty years older. The latter, however, belonged originally to the Dutch Reformed Church, only later becoming Anglican.

The life of St George's Church went on with little change until its was disestablished in 1916. And as such, it continued for another 25 years....

Then came the dark day when the walls of the church were to stand battered and unused, and pillaged furnishings were to be scattered and lost. From long after that day worshippers came no more to where their predecessors had worshipped God for over 125 years.

But stones and buildings do not make a church. So while the visible structure stood gaunt and ruined, the spirit of the church of St George the Martyr lived on, moving the site of its worship from place to place as necessity commanded.

Its building was looted and defaced, but its soul, vigorous and inspired by adversity, retained its identity. On the day the Japanese arrived, six bombs were dropped into the church compound, but only one hit the church. It was the only church in Malaya to be bombed.

The bomb damage was small, but the church as well as the then completely unharmed parsonage and mission hall were wrecked and pillaged by looters.

Mr Victor Lunberg, who was licensed as a lay reader on Dec 18, 1942, and received his licence, which had to be smuggled to him on Christmas Day, rescued the church records and other articles eventually to be destroyed by the Japanese.

When the war reached Malaya, the then Vicar of Penang, the Rev. R.J. Thompson, who was nearly sixty years of age, left for active service with the Volunteer Corps, to which he was chaplain.

Thereupon the Rev. Eric Scott, Vicar of Butterworth, moved boldly about Penang in company with Mr Lunberg. It was suggested to Mr Scott that he should say he was Irish so that he could enjoy certain freedom of movement as a comparative neutral . He refused. As a result, he was confined to St Nicholas' Home where the church services were held for the next twelve months.

Then services were held at the Chinese parsonage, where now stands the St Paul's Church. Sometimes Japanese soldiers and officers attended these services.

After the liberation, the Government allowed the Anglicans to use the Methodist Church in Burmah Road.

In 1948 the original church building was restored and entirely refurbished. The time of ease and comfort for the church in Penang had ended on the day the Japanese arrived.

But the courage with which its people faced persecution augures (sic) well for the condition of its future. The restored church building is now the people's own church. They remade it with hands ready for love and service as the Jews rebuilt the battered Temple at Jerusalem.

Already a small but not insignificant happening has taken place which shows how its spiritual strength might move into an even more influential position.

In March this year a new aspect of its history was begun when litigation was brought to an end by an oath made upon the Bible in the church.

A newspaper account states: "It is not unusual among certain litigants in the courts to accept a challenge by cutting a cock's head in a temple to settle an issue under dispute, but for the first time an oath taking took place in a church without the decapitation of a rooster.

It was during the hearing of a civil suit in the Penang First Magistrate's court when the defendant challenged the plaintiffs, a trading firm, that if the firm's representative would swear an oath in a church, he would consent to judgment in respect of a claim for $200 being the balance due for cash advanced and for goods supplied.

"When the plaintiff's representative accepted the challenge, the court adjourned and the parties went to St George's Church. In the presence of the court's Chinese interpreter, the firm's representative swore to the validity of the claim.

"On the parties returning to the court, the Magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiffs after being assured by the defendant that he was satisfied with what had taken place."

J.G.

Annual report of the School Committee, 1817

(This account of the Report of the Prince of Wales' Island Free School Committee to the Subscribers first appeared in Marcus Langdon's book, Penang the Fourth Presidency of India 1804-1830, Volume 2, Marcus Langdon is a noted historian, writer and publisher. Currently, he resides in Penang.)

PUBLIC SCHOOL, WEDNESDAY, 22nd OCTOBER 1817.

Report of the School Committee.

1. The Committee, to whose hands the confidence of the Government had delegated on behalf of the Public, the interesting and important trust of introducing and carrying into practical effect at this Presidency, the Institution of a Public Free School, on principles similar to those upon which the invaluable blessing of Elocution has been dispersed to our fellow subjects in other parts of India; judging the period to have arrived, at which, the progress and actual state of the Institution make it proper that the Committee should submit a Report of its past proceedings & should resort to the wisdom and judgement of the Public for the future management of the School – has the honour to lay before the Meeting now assembled the following statement in the preparation of which it has been judged the most eligible course, in order to afford the fullest information to the Subscribers at large to exhibit a succinct review of all that has been done toward the Establishment of the Institution, from the period that its introduction was first proposed at this Presidency.

2. To the pastoral and benevolent views of our respectable Chaplain Mr. Hutchings we owe, under the countenance and fostering Patronage of a liberal and enlightened Government, the immediate origin of this Institution; which, munificently endowed as this has been, and zealously supported by the Settlement at large, will remain a proud and imperishable memorial of the beneficent spirit by which the British Character is so eminently distinguished, and its influence marked in every quarter of the Globe; a memorial which, fixed as we may justly hope this will be, in the hearts of the rude and unlettered nations amidst whom we dwell, will prove more lasting than any monument of marble or of brass.

3. The Reverend Chaplain having submitted to the Government his suggestion for founding a Public School, and the Government with its wonted beneficence having cordially concurred in the object, this Committee was nominated to consider and report upon the Plan.

4. The Committee accordingly met, and after a most careful examination of Mr. Hutchings' plan in all its details, submitted its fullest and most unqualified approbation of it, and warmly recommended its adoption.

5. The Committee begs leave to refer to its Report dated the 10th January 1816 in which its opinion of the General Plan, of the details for giving its effect, and the estimated expences calculated to attend it, were fully exhibited.

6. The Government having expressed its entire approval of the Plan, and signified its intention of affording on behalf of the Honorable Company their liberal support towards giving it effect, the public Address of the 9th February 1816, was submitted to the Community at large, which it is almost superfluous to state, was immediately answered by that prompt, generous, and spirited liberality which never fails to animate a Briton's bosom when his Charity is invoked in behalf of his fellow creatures, or an object for the exercise of philanthropy presented to his view.

7. The first Report of the Private Subscriptions for the Institution of the School, stated the amount that had been subscribed within the first month, at Spanish Dollars 5601; and it is most satisfactory to the Committee to have it now in its power to state, that many additional contributions have since been made, and that the Funds in the Treasurer's hands amounted on the 30th April last, to the sum of Spanish Dollars 11,936. Pice 02.

8. A reference to the Committee's Report of the 10th January 1816, and to Mr. Hutchings' original Plan, will shew, that it was considered one of the main objects of this Institution to receive as Boarders, and to place on the foundation of the School, Orphans and poor Children, who were to be educated, fed, and clothed; and the Estimates framed by the Committee accordingly proceeded upon these views.

9. It was also intended, to Educate in their own national languages, a certain number of Day Scholars, the Children of Malay, Chinese, Hindoo, and Chuliah Parents, for whom Native Teachers were to be provided.

10. Neither of these objects have yet been attained, nor indeed put in progress; the Committee having found it most advisable to limit its first measures to the Introduction of a system of Education in the English Language, and to hold out to the Community the encouragement to submit their Children to a systematic course of Instruction, which a Day School so readily afforded.

11. A further objection to the immediate institution of a Boarding School, arose out of the difficulty of procuring at the time, a suitable Building, as well as the delay that long intervened, before a proper Master and Mistress could be procured.

12. But as the provision for Boarding both Boys and Girls forms a main and leading principle in the prospectus on which the Institution has been founded, and that to dispense the blessings and comfort of food, raiment, and education to Orphan Children left destitute, or those whose Parents & Friends cannot maintain them; the Committee very earnestly recommends that this benevolent purpose be kept readily in view, and that at the earliest period which will admit, it may be practically introduced, together with that of furnishing Tuition in the Native Languages.

13. The delay and difficulty above stated in procuring a proper Master prevented the opening of the Free School at an earlier date than the month of October last year, on the 21st of which the Committee met for the purpose of admitting Scholars, and did on the date accordingly receive and admit 25 Boys.

14. The Girls' school was not opened in consequence of the School-Mistress not having arrived until the 1st July last.

15. The Committee has the gratification to report that there are now on the School Register at this date:-
Boys............................ 49
Girls............................. 11
Of which number there are, for whose Tuition Payment is made:-
Boys............................ 13
Girls............................   7

16. The rate of payment to such as can afford it, is One Dollar per month.

17. The Committee was induced by the respectable testimonies to his Character which he brought with him, to engage the present Master, Mr. W, Cox, at a Salary of Spanish Dollars per month Eighty; and subsequently to confide the charge of the Girls' School, to his wife, Mrs. Cox, at a Salary of Spanish Dollars Fifty.

18. The Committee further considered it equitable to defray the expences of Mrs. Cox's Passage from Madras, and accordingly paid the same.

19. The accommodation contained in the Premises in which the Meeting is now assembled, induced the Committee to engage the same for the School, at the monthly rent of Spanish Dollars 50 on a lease of 12 months from the first of May last.

20. It is in this place proper to bring under the special notice to the Subscribers, the additional mark of the liberality and favour of the Government, which in the same spirit of benevolence that prompted its splendid donation towards the foundation, and its liberal Monthly Subscription towards the maintenance of the Institution, has recently conferred upon the School, the free Grant of a very eligible and conveniently situated piece of Ground near the Church.

21. It is the pleasing office of the Committee to record its own sense, and it ventures with confidence to anticipate the concurring sentiment of the Community of the deep obligation the Public owe, for such wise, beneficent, and liberal Patronage on the part of their respected Rulers.

22. The Committee desires to present the letter from the Secretary to Government announcing this Grant, and as it appeared to the Committee to be proper to defer replying to the Communication, until the same should be submitted to a Meeting of the Subscribers at large; the Committee would now suggest the propriety of its being authorized by the Meeting before finally relinquishing its trust, to acknowledge this letter from Government, and to state in whose names, as Trustees, the Subscribers would recommend that the Grant should be made out.

23. In reference to the same object, the Committee has the honour to acquaint the Subscribers that, pursuant to a resolution recorded on its proceedings of the 11th instant, an application has been addressed to Lieutenant Smith, the Superintending Engineer, soliciting in the name of the Committee, the favour of his framing a Plan for a suitable Building as a School House, calculated to accommodate not less than one hundred Boys, and fifty Girls; and accompanying the same with Estimates of the probable Expense that will attend its erection.

24. The Committee would suggest, that when the Plan shall be received from the Engineer, no time should be lost in deciding upon the erection of the School.

25. The Meeting will naturally participate in the regret felt by the Committee, at having been deprived, by the impaired state of his health which rendered a change of climate necessary, so early after the Institution of the School, of the aid of the Reverend Gentleman to whom its origin was so largely owing, and to whose experience, judgment, and active personal superintendence, the Public hopes were necessarily turned for its success. The Committee has been deeply sensible of the disadvantage under which it has laboured from having been thus unavoidably deprived of Mr. Hutchings' assistance; and therefore relies with confidence, that the Subscribers at large, justly appreciating these disadvantages, will make liberal allowances for any deficiencies they may perceive in the management or actual condition of the School.

26. Although thus left to introduce unaided and to establish a new Institution which, like all new Schemes, requires experience and practical knowledge to direct with success, the Committee indulges a hope that on reference to its recorded Proceedings, the Public will be satisfied that it has not been inattentive to the high trust confided to its charge; but that in their directive and individual capacities, the several members have applied their best and earnest endeavours to promote the advancement and prosperity of the School, and to introduce and establish order, method, regularity, & proper discipline.

27. The Committee is desirous of drawing to the notice of the Subscribers to the Proceedings recorded on the 30th April, 19th June, 15th August, and 11th October, with the several memorandums of the individual Members of the Committee, as these records afford the most full and complete view of the Acts of the Committee, and of the state of the School, whilst they also detail the system of Tuition it has been the endeavours of the Committee to bring into practical operation.

28. The printed regulation for the management of the School, a copy of which will be furnished to each of the Subscribers, are those, which the Reverend Mr. Hutchings prepared and submitted to Government, and which having been approved, were passed and adopted for the management of the Institution from its first commencement.

29. The Subscribers will perceive that conformably with the Provisions thereof, exclusive of the President and Vice Presidents, "Nine Gentlemen, Resident on the Island, are to be constituted Directors of the School" for the purposes fully set forth in the 3rd, 4th and following Rules; and the Committee, in proposing with the sanction of Government now to relinquish its present trust, takes the liberty of respectfully submitting to the Meeting the propriety of immediately electing nine new Directors, with a Secretary; and the Committee feels that in giving up its charge it cannot perform a more important duty nor render a greater service, than by endeavouring to press upon the minds of the Gentlemen who may take upon themselves the office of Directors, the conviction so deeply impressed upon every individual of the present Committee, that upon the zealous, earnest, and efficient discharge of the duties prescribed by the Regulations, must depend the due management and good order of the School; and the Committee entreats the friends of the Institution to whom this report is addressed, to be persuaded, that to the personal vigilance, punctual and active superintendence of the monthly Visiting Directors, the progress of the prescribed system of Education must be prospectively referable.

30. The Committee has furnished the Master, Mr. Cox, with a valuable Treatise, amply detailing the whole course of Dr Bell's admired System, and on reference to the Proceedings of the 11th Inst, it will be seen, that no pains have been spared to awaken in Mr. Cox a lively interest in the important charge entrusted to him.

31. On the same Proceedings the Committee has recorded the opinion it entertains, that great benefit could not fail to result from the Ladies of the Settlement bestowing their countenance upon the Institution and taking upon themselves the superintendence of the Female Branch of it an arrangement which, sanctioned be the example of a similar practice at the other Indian Presidencies, the Committee wishes respectfully to recommend to the Ladies of this Settlement.

32. Appended to this Report is a Return, exhibiting the various Articles of School Furniture, the School Books, Stationary, &c. which have been provided, as the same remain on this date.

33. The Committee has submitted an application to Government, that the indulgence of obtaining the Stationary required for the use of the School, may, in order to diminish expence now incurred for that Article, be granted on paying for the same at the Invoice cost.

34. The last statement with which the Committee proposes to conclude its reports is the state of the School Funds; and it is most gratifying to the Committee to have it in its power to exhibit so favourable and flattering a view of these. By the last Account Current of Messrs. Carnegy and Co. the Treasurers, the Balance on the 30th April at the Credit of the Institution, was Spanish Dollars 11,935, Pice 02.

35. By an open account foom the Treasurer, dated yesterday, it appears, that the Balance on this date may be stated at Dollars 12,336.

36. Messrs. Carnegy and Co. have intimated by letter, that they cannot continue the same rate of interest hitherto allowed for the current year.

37. It is also satisfactory to the Committee to have to report, that the current Expences of the School are kept considerably within the current Monthly Receipts (not including the interest on the Funds) as the subjoined sketch exhibits.
Monthly Receipts.
The Government Subscription.................................200
Payment received from 13 Boys & 7 Girls..................20
Rent for the Press-room.............................................10
                                                                                            230

Current Monthly Expences
Rent of the School.....................................................50
Salary of Master and Mistress.................................130
Fixed Expences........................................................180
Balance to meet Contingent charges and saving
(besides the interest accruing on the Funds)...........50

38. This Committee is not aware that it has any further observations with which to trouble the Meeting, and therefore proposes, so soon as it shall have obtained the sanction of the Government, to dissolve, and accordingly recommends the nomination of the new Directors.

(Signed.) R. lbbetson, J.M. Coombs, J. Maclnnes, D. Brown, J. Carnegy, R Caunter.