Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu
Sacred Heart Cathedral is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, and the seat of its current archbishop, John Wong Soo Kau. The current cathedral was built from 1979 to 1981, with its dedication held on 21 November 1981.
| Sacred Heart Cathedral | |
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| 5.965°N 116.072°E | |
| Location | Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | sacredheartcathedralkk |
| History | |
| Founded | 1911 (Parish) |
| Dedicated | 22 June 1911 (original church) 14 August 1938 (rebuilt church) 11 December 1949 (rebuilt church/cathedral) 21 November 1981 (current cathedral) |
| Past bishop(s) | Most Rev. Datuk John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Shen Dah Cheong (Principal) Rev. Fr. Tobias Chi (Advisor) |
| Completed | 1911-1938 (original church) 1938-1945 (rebuilt church) 1949-1979 (rebuilt church/cathedral) 1981 (current rebuilt cathedral) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Kota Kinabalu |
| Province | Ecclesiastical Province of Kota Kinabalu |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Most Rev. Datuk John Wong Soo Kau |
| Rector | Rev. Fr. Paul Lo |
| Assistant priest(s) | Rev. Fr. Sunny Chung Rev. Fr. Russell Lawrine M. Samin Rev. Fr. Saimon William Rev. Fr. Joshua Liew Chi Kiong |
History
In early January 1903, Fr Henry van der Heyden first arrived in Jesselton. His aggressive policy of importing Chinese workers by the Chartered Company Government sudden flooded the town with the arrival of hundreds of Chinese immigrants. The mission was named Sacred Heart of Jesus in June 1903.
The bulk of the early Catholic community was made up of poor Hakka farmers in a completely new land striving to adjust to all the harsh conditions of a new life. Surrounded by experience of much struggles and suffering in their daily lives, Fr Heyden thought of God's compassionate love for His children in Borneo, and remembered that Jesus also suffered and died for them, which is possibly the reason the church was then named Sacred Heart.
Gallery
Cathedral Facade
Rear view of the Cathedral
Parish Center Facade
Interior during Chinese New Year Celebrations
Marian Grotto
Emmaus Home