Beautiful especially late in the evening...
Source: MalaysiaVacationGuide.com
When the Dutch took over Melaka from the hand of the Portuguese, they built several buildings for their own purposes. This church was built as a place of worship as they did not have any church for themselves apart from the small chapel built by Portuguese on St. Paul Hill. Like St. Paul Church, this church is one of the most attractive heritage in Melaka that has gone through several stages of change under the governing of different colonials.
When the Dutch took over Melaka from the hand of the Portuguese, they built several buildings for their own purposes. This church was built as a place of worship as they did not have any church for themselves apart from the small chapel built by Portuguese on St. Paul Hill. Like St. Paul Church, this church is one of the most attractive heritage in Melaka that has gone through several stages of change under the governing of different colonials.
Located at Jalan Gereja (or known as Church Street), the church is painted in coral red with huge white cross at the middle. It is the most distinguished one among adjacent buildings that are also painted in similar red colour. Surrounded by beautiful landscape with greeneries and flowers, you will probably feel like visiting a vintage church somewhere in Europe!
However, there is something unique and unusual that you might not be able to get in Europe but only in Melaka – the colourful decorated trishaw! In front of the church, there will always be striking trishaws lining up, offering the service to tour you around the town. The existence of trishaw makes the church’s surrounding area more lively and outstanding!
This Christ Church was built by the Dutch. They started the construction in 1741 and completed it in 1753. At that time, the church played its vital role as a place for the Dutch to pray. Later, when British took over Melaka for a temporary term, they converted the original Protestant church into an Anglican church. At the same time the British added the bell and weathercock on the church.
The church is located opposite to Stadthuys, the former official residence for the Dutch government. In the middle, you can see a beautiful fountain and that is the Queen Victoria Fountain built by the British. Further, there is a windmill that faces the fountain.
Most parts of the church were constructed manually including the pews and windows. It still stayed the same even though it had been built more than 200 years ago. Until now, the church is still functioning with services available in English, Chinese and Tamil languages. In fact, it is the oldest church that is still in operation in Malaysia.
Trishaws lit up!
And as we walked across the river dividing the town, I took my 2 favourite photos. My Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 was mounted on a half-broken (I didn't know till I got to Melaka!) cheapo tripod :-) for these shots. EXIF: f/9, 1s, ISO400
3 comments:
melaka by dusk and by night fall is indeed pretty. Well captured on your camera!
Btw, I like the blue-ness of the sky behind the church. Must have been a clear day:)
Thanks thanks!!
It was a clear day, but challenge was to hold camera still when the light was diminishing at 7+ pm!
Most of the shots here had to be tripod-mounted for sharp focus :-) My wobbly hands just couldn't do it!
Melaka is good for food hunt huh~~ :)
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