Diocese of Kuching

The first sixty years

An Anglican mission, called the Borneo Church Mission, was established in 1846 and the Anglican Church began in Sarawak on 29 June 1848, when a party of missionaries arrived at the invitation of James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak.^[1][3] Francis Thomas McDougall who led the group was deemed suitable for the job because he was a doctor as well as a priest.^[4][5]

The Rajah gave the missionaries a piece of land on which to build their base. The land was used to build a church, which was to serve as pro-cathedral for many years, as well as a school which later grew into St. Thomas' and St. Mary's, and also a dispensary.^[1]

It was soon realised that the Church in the Rajah's territory would be better administered as a bishopric.^[1] The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel supported the proposal and contributed a sum of £5,000 towards the endowment. However, the political conventions of the day ruled that no Anglican diocese could be created outside the limits of the British Empire, and Sarawak was technically an independent principality of the Rajah.^[1] The difficulty was sidestepped by founding the diocese upon the island of Labuan, a Crown Colony since 1846.^[1][6] The bishop of Labuan could then be appointed bishop of Sarawak by the Rajah. This practice prevailed until Sarawak became a Crown Colony in 1946.^[1]

Letters Patent were issued on 6 August 1855, erecting the "Island of Labuan and its Dependencies into a Bishop's See or Diocese to be styled the Bishopric of Labuan."^[7] McDougall was nominated by the Crown as the first bishop, and was consecrated on 18 October 1855 in Calcutta. On 1 January 1856 he was appointed bishop of Sarawak.^[8]

The linked diocese of Labuan and bishopric of Sarawak increased in size as the principality grew and Anglican work in North Borneo and Brunei developed.^[1] It extended further when, by an Act of Parliament in 1869, the Church in the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Penang and Malacca) was separated from the see of Calcutta and placed under the episcopal care of the bishop of Labuan.^[1] This arrangement lasted until 1909, when the diocese of Singapore was founded.^[9]

The first sixty years of the Church in Borneo were a chronicle of effort, disappointment and service by priests and lay missionaries. Asian workers played an increasingly larger part as time passed because the formation of a truly indigenous church had been intended from the beginning.^[1]

20th century and today

After 1909, when the bishop could concentrate on Borneo alone, a new era in the Church began. Three decades of growth and development followed, with the longed-for ordination of Dayak and Chinese clergy in increasing numbers.^[1]

After the devastation of World War II the diocese of Labuan and the bishopric of Sarawak were joined into the diocese of Borneo and in 1949 Nigel Cornwall was consecrated bishop.^[1] His immediate task was to restore the ruins of the churches, schools and other mission property destroyed during the years of the Japanese occupation.^[1] 1953 saw the construction of the new St. Thomas' Cathedral to replace the leaky wooden edifice built by McDougall.^[10] Men prepared for ordination at the House of the Epiphany (established in 1952) provided nine new priests for the area in 1956.^[1]

By 1962 plans were completed for the division of the diocese of Borneo.^[1][11] The new diocese of Jesselton (Sabah) including Labuan came into being on 24 July 1962.^[1][11] The remainder of the diocese, including Brunei, was reconstituted as the Diocese of Kuching on 13 August 1962.^[1][11] Nigel Cornwall continued as Bishop.^[1][11]

The limits of the Diocese are those of the present administrative divisions of the State of Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam together with that part of Indonesian Borneo lying North of the equator, and West of longitude 115 º42’.^[1]

On 7 April 1970 the diocese of West Malaysia was formed to separate that region from Singapore.^[12]

The present Bishop is the Right Reverend Danald Jute, who is the 14th Lord Bishop of Kuching since 1855, when the diocese was first created.^[2]

List of Bishops

Parishes in Sarawak, Malaysia

Source:^[23]

• St. Thomas's Cathedral, Kuching, McDougall Road, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Dean: Kho Thong Meng

• St. Mathew's Church, Mundai, 24th. Mile Kuching/Serian Road, 94200 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Widos Pauh

• St. Faith's Church, Kuching, Chawan Road, Kenyalang Park, P.O. Box 976, 93720 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Bradley Sangan

• St. Paul's Church, Siol Kandis, Petra Jaya, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Stephen Ngabong

• St. James's Church, Kuap, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Kebin Su-ur

• St. Francis's Church, Kota Samarahan, Jalan Datuk Mohd. Musa, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Kelvin Jawa

• St. Philip's Church, Padawan, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Pilot Mejem

• St. Paul's Church, Bunuk, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Johnny Lebar

• St. John's Church, Taee, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Philip Tauk

• St. Maria's Church, Abok, P.O. Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Villy Velin

• St. Luke's Church, Sri Aman, Sabu Road, P.O. Box 220, 95008 Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Tony Jilat George

• St. Francis's Church, Lundu, Jalan Sekambal, 94500 Lundu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Peter Augustine

• St. Stephen's Church, Simunjan, Jalan Sabun, Peti Surat 3, 94800 Simunjan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Jeffery Munap

• St. Michael's Church, Engkilili, Jalan Belon ak. Upak, 95800 Engkilili, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Moses Jakir

• St. Philip's Church, Lubok Antu, 95900 Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia

Vicar: Afron Gori

• St. Augustine's Church, Betong, Jalan Datuk Basil Temenggong, 95700 Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Rentap Nuang

• St. Helen's Church, Serian, P.O. Box 81, 94700, Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Stanley Kiew

• St. Christopher's Church, Debak, 95500 Debak, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Eric Riis

• St. Peter's Church, Saratok, P.O. Box 24, 95400 Saratok, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Rodriguez Unak Charles

• St. John's Church, Sibu, Jalan Tun Abg. Hj. Openg, P.O. Box 1315, 96008 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Jose Jol Endru

• St. Thomas' Church, Bintulu, P.O. Box 120, 97007 Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Josh Sim Kuan Hui

• St. Boniface's Church, Mamut, c/o St. Giles' Chapel, P.O. Box 57, 98200 Batu Niah, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Timon Lugi

• St. Columba's Church, Miri, P.O. Box 233, 98007 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Roland Rayang

• The Church of Good Shepherd, Lutong, P.O. Box 423, 98107 Lutong, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Pilu Gumba

• St. Mark's Church, Limbang, P.O. Box 107, 98707 Limbang, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Acting Priest-in-charge: Kumar Keristay

• Tabuan Jaya Anglican Church, No.262, Lorong Song 1, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Richard Chang

• All Saints' Church, Tabuan, P.O.Box 347,93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Vicar: Kamor Dian

• St. Paul's Church, Siol Kandis, P.O.Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Vicar: Stephen Ngabong

• St. Matthew's Church, Batu Kawa, Sungai Maong, Survey Lot 3573, Lot 2520, Fl.1, SL 5, Jalan Sungai Maong Utama, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak.

Vicar: Louis Then Jit Seng

• St. Simon's Church, Malihah, Synergy Square, Matang Jaya, Jln.Matang, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak.

Vicar: Nelson Kent

• St.Margaret's Church, Stampin, Kampung Stampin, Off Taman BDC, Jalan Stutong, 93350, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Almond Pritchie

• Christ Church, Stunggang, Kampung Stunggang Dayak 94500 Lundu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Andy Kiew

• All Saints' Anglican Church, Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS)

Vicar: Evriston Kisau

• St. Mary's Church, Kandis Lama, Bau, c/o P.O.Box 347, 93704, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Holsen Osin

• St. Lawrence's Church, Sabu, Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Jecksion Tay

• St. Stephen's Church, Pantu, P.O.Box 347, 93704 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Elebis Tan Entry

• St. Benedict's Church, Skrang, 95800, Engkilili, Skrang, Betong Division, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Eliot Ijau

• St. Paul's Church, Roban, 95300, Bahagian Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Philip Mang

• St. Alban's Church, Sarikei, Jalan Susur Jambu Selatan, Susur Jambu, 96100 Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Andrew Smatik Brun

• St. James's Church, Bintangor, Jalan Kelupu, 96500 Maradong, Sarawak

Vicar: Jaol Galang

• St. Giles's Church, Batu Niah, P.O.Box 57, 98200 Batu Niah, Miri, Sarawak.

Vicar: Christopher Ajis

• St. Barnabas's Church, Miri, Lot 4885, Jalan Rejang 4, Jalan Sibu, 98000, Taman Tunku, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Vicar: Ramdan Mejem

• Holy Trinity Church, Lambir, Lot 94, Jalan Meranti, Kpg Tunku Abdul Rahman Lambir P.O.Box 617, 98000, Miri, Sarawak.

Vicar: Johny Janggok

• St. Matthias's Church, Tudan, Lot 1455, Lorong Perdana 5C, Desaras, Tudan Phase 6, P.O.Box 47, 98107 Lutong, Miri, Sarawak

Vicar: Kanyan Randi

• St. Nicholas's Church, Bandar Baru Samariang No.1960, Lorong Cahaya Damai 4, Bandar Baru Samariang, Petra Jaya, 93050, Kuching

Vicar: Jugah Adi

• St. Augustine's Church, Mambong, Siburan, Sarawak

Vicar: Jeffry Renos Nawie

Parishes in Brunei Darussalam

Source:^[23]

• St. James's Church, Kuala Belait, P.O. Box 79, Kuala Belait KA1131, Negara Brunei Darussalam

Vicar:

• St. Margaret's Church, Seria, P.O. Box 788, Seria KB1133, Negara Brunei Darussalam

Vicar:

• St. Andrew's Church, BSB, P.O. Box 126, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8670, Negara Brunei Darussalam

Vicar:

Mission districts

Source:^[23]

• St. Mary's Church, Matang c/o P.O.Box 347, 93704 Kuching

Vicar:

• St. Paul's Church, Banting c/o P.O.Box 347, 93704 Kuching

Vicar: Camcay Ngam

• St. Simon's Chapel, Sebuyau c/o P.O.Box 347, 93704, Kuching

Vicar:

• The House of the Epiphany, Jln. McDougall, 93000 Kuching

Warden in-charge: Alfred Damu Bulang

Source:^[23]

• The Kidurong Anglican Centre, Lot 3028, Jalan Abang Matassan, Tg, Kidurong, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak

Vicar: Josh Sim Kuan Hui

• Kapit Anglican Mission Centre, Lot 921, Jalan Airport, 96800 Kapit, Sarawak

Vicar: Makos Mark Luna

• Mukah Anglican Centre, 2nd Floor, Sublot 4, Block 68, R. C. Building, Mukah Land District, 96400 Mukah, Sarawak

Vicar: Anthony Sedah Eyok

• St. John's Extension Centre Anglican Church, Sibu Jaya, 1st Floor, No. 25, Lot 1192, Sibu Jaya, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak

Vicar: Jose Jol Endru

Primary

• SK St. Thomas, Kuching
• SK St. Mary, Kuching
• SK Garland, Batu Kawa, Kuching
• SK Holy Name, Rukam, Lundu
• SK St. John, Sebayor, Kota Samarahan
• SK St. Michael, Entingan, Kota Samarahan
• SK St. Alban, Sg. Tapang, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Philip, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Augustine, Mambong, Kota Padawan
• SK St. George, Punau, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Matthew, Mundai, Kota Padawan
• SK St. James, Kuap, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Alban, Duras, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Patrick, Semadang, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Paul, Bunuk, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Gregory, Giam, Kota Padawan
• SK St. David, Bumbok, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Bernard, Sadir, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Giles, Git, Kota Padawan
• SK St. Barnabas, Baru, Serian
• SK St. John, Taee, Serian
• SK St. Matthew, Lanchang, Serian
• SK St. Ambrose, Panchor, Serian
• SK All Saints, Plaman Nyabet, Serian
• SK St. James, Rayang, Serian
• SK St. Dunstan, Maang, Serian
• SK St. Edward, Belimbing, Serian
• SK St. Swithun, Payang, Serian
• SK St. Luke, Sri Aman
• SK St. Lawrence, Sabu, Sri Aman
• SK St. Martin, Lachau, Sri Aman
• SK St. Paul, Banting, Sri Aman
• SK St. Dunstan, Seduku, Sri Aman
• SK St. Leo, Gayau, Sri Aman
• SK St. Augustine, Betong
• SK St. Peter and St. Paul, Nanga Buli, Padeh, Betong
• SK St. Bartholomew, Geraji, Betong
• SK St. Barnabas, Blassau, Debak, Betong
• SK St. Christopher, Debak, Betong
• SK St. John, Nanga Tiga, Layar, Betong
• SK St. Mark, Batu Genting, Layar, Betong
• SK St. Peter, Saratok
• SK St. Paul, Roban, Saratok
• SK St. Michael, Plassu, Roban, Saratok
• SK St. Columba, Miri

Secondary

• SMK St. Thomas, Kuching
• SMK St. Mary, Kuching
• SMK St. Luke, Sri Aman
• SMK St. Augustine, Betong
• SMK St. Columba, Miri