St George's Church

Last updated: October 2026

St George's Church is a white Georgian church with a columned portico and slender spire, set on a lawn on Lebuh Farquhar in the north of George Town's heritage zone. Completed in 1818 and consecrated in 1819, it is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia and one of the best-preserved early colonial buildings in Malaysia. It is still a working parish church, now with the status of a pro-cathedral, and in front of it stands a small domed pavilion in memory of Francis Light, who founded the British settlement on Penang in 1786.

This guide covers the church's history and architecture, what to see, visiting hours and service times (checked October 2026), how to get there and tips for visitors.

History of St George's Church

Building the church, 1816 to 1819

Three decades after Francis Light landed on Penang, the East India Company settlement, then called Prince of Wales Island, still had no proper church. Work began in 1816 and the church was completed in 1818, built entirely by Indian convict labour. The design is credited to the Governor of Prince of Wales Island, William Petrie, and Lieutenant Robert N. Smith of the Madras Engineers, and was modelled on St George's Cathedral in Madras (now Chennai). It cost 60,000 Spanish dollars, a very large sum for the young settlement. The church was consecrated on 11 May 1819 by Thomas Fanshawe Middleton, Bishop of Calcutta.

Changes in the 19th century

The church was originally built with a flat roof, which was replaced in 1864 with the pitched gable roof seen today. In 1886, during the celebrations for the centenary of the founding of Penang, the Francis Light memorial was erected in the grounds: a small circular pavilion with a dome on columns, in front of the church.

War, damage and recovery

During the Second World War the church was badly damaged by Japanese air raids and its interior fittings were looted during the occupation. Only a few original items survived, including the bishop's chair and the baptismal font. Repairs after the war allowed services to resume in 1948.

Heritage status and restoration

In 2007 St George's Church was declared one of Malaysia's 50 National Treasures, and in 2008 it became part of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. A restoration costing about RM1.8 million, which began in 2010, repaired the structure and the church reopened in 2011. A heritage centre with a photographic exhibition on the church's history opened in 2016. On 22 April 2023 the church was raised to the status of a pro-cathedral, the principal Anglican church for the northern part of the Diocese of West Malaysia; the same year it received the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award.

Architecture and What to See

• The portico: the front is a classical portico of Doric columns under a pediment, typical of the Neo-Classical and English Palladian style used for Georgian churches in British India.
• The steeple: an octagonal steeple rises above the entrance and is the church's landmark from the surrounding streets.
• The interior: a simple, calm nave where the surviving bishop's chair and baptismal font can still be seen, a quiet contrast to the busy temples on the same street.
• The Francis Light memorial: the domed pavilion on the lawn, built in 1886 for Penang's centenary, commemorates Light's founding of the settlement in 1786.
• The heritage centre: a small exhibition of historical photographs, with books and souvenirs on sale.
• The grounds: the lawn and trees around the church make it one of the few open green spaces in the heritage core, and the best place to photograph the full facade.

St George's Church Visiting Hours and Services

• Tourist visits: Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday by appointment.
• Closed to tourists: Friday, Sunday (except for services) and public holidays. The church may also close for weddings and funerals.
• Services: all are welcome at the Sunday services at 8:30 am and 10:30 am, and on Wednesday at 9:30 am.
• Heritage centre: listed as open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.
• Entry: free.
• Time needed: about 30 minutes.

How to Get to St George's Church

• Address: 1 Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, at the corner of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
• On foot: next door to the Penang State Museum and a short walk from the Cathedral of the Assumption, about five minutes from Kuan Yin Teng and Kapitan Keling Mosque, and ten minutes from Fort Cornwallis and the Esplanade.
• Bus: the free CAT shuttle and Rapid Penang routes through the heritage zone stop nearby on Lebuh Farquhar and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
• Grab or taxi: ask for "St George's Church, Lebuh Farquhar".

Tips for Visiting

• Check the church's noticeboard or social media before visiting around Easter, Christmas and St George's Day (23 April), when special services and events can change the usual hours.
• Plan your visit for Monday to Thursday; many visitors arrive on a Friday and find the church closed.
• Dress modestly and keep your voice down inside, especially if a service or prayer meeting is taking place.
• Do not take photographs during services, weddings or funerals.
• The lawn is in full sun for much of the day; morning light is best for photos of the portico and memorial.
• Combine the visit with the Penang State Museum next door, the Cathedral of the Assumption on Lebuh Farquhar and the Street of Harmony walk south along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

St George's Church Location

Nearby

• Penang State Museum — Attraction, 0.1 km away
• Kuan Yin Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple) — Temple, 0.1 km away
• Kebaya Dining Room — Restaurant, 0.2 km away
• Church of the Assumption — Temple, 0.2 km away
• Shin Shin Gelato — Dessert, 0.2 km away
• The Alley — Cafe, 0.2 km away

Plan a route with opening times using the Where2Go trip planner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• St. George's Church, Penang, Wikipedia
• St George's Church Penang, Travel Penang Malaysia
• St George's Church becomes a pro-cathedral, Free Malaysia Today (April 2023)
• Oldest Anglican church in South East Asia reopens after RM1.8mil restoration, Anglican News

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