A Franciscan Parish
Our History
Our parish began as a small hilltop chapel for the friars. Adjoining the Franciscan Sociological Centre, it was dedicated by Archbishop Olçomendy in 1958. In 1970, the Archbishop offered the friars a 25-year parish agreement and so, the friars’ chapel became a parish church. A year later, it was formally named after St Mary of the Angels in Assisi, St Francis’ favourite chapel and the place where God’s graces and mercies were made known to many. Plans were announced that it would be extended by 29 feet to accommodate the growing number of parishioners.
In 1985, the Church of St Mary of the Angels was extended a second time due to the increase of parishioners resulting from the new blocks of HDB flats in the new township of Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak area. The existing parish hall and canteen, built in 1974, was greatly renovated, and in 1991, the new St Clare Centre would also include a Parish Office, library, Sunday school classrooms and a kindergarten.
By 1998, with the building of high-rise housing estates all around the church, the number of parishioners had tripled. It became clear once again that the church was woefully inadequate to meet the needs of parishioners. Apart from overcrowding and parking problems, there was also an urgent need for major structural repairs in both the church building and the 40-year-old friary. A decision was taken to redevelop the site.
The current main church building we have now was completed in September 2003 and on 2nd February 2004, Archbishop Nicholas Chia led parishioners in dedicating it to the Lord’s service. Currently, the parish of St Mary of the Angels is one of the largest in Singapore, serving over 8500 parishioners within the vicinity of Bukit Batok.
The Franciscans
St Francis sent his friars into the world to announce by living and preaching the good news. His mandate also implies that the friars place themselves at the service of the local church in parish ministry. This form of evangelisation is in accordance with the Franciscan charism—especially in regards to fraternity and minority. These two principles are the hinges in Franciscan Spirituality, which was why St Francis called the Order “Friars Minor”, meaning “lesser brothers”.
The chapel of St Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, was very dear to St Francis. It was there that he recognised his vocation, received St Clare’s vows, preached the Portiuncula Indulgence and where he passed from this life into the next.
St Francis of Assisi
Franciscans in Singapore
The Franciscan Friars at St Mary’s belong to the Custody of St Anthony of Padua Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei, which was officially constituted in Singapore in May 1991, dependent on the Australian Province of the Holy Spirit. Friar Phillip Miscamble was named its first Custos. By then, the Friars had been running the Church of St Mary of the Angels in Bukit Batok for 21 years.
On 25 Apr 2023, Friar Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, officially declared the autonomy of the Custody of St Anthony. Watch the following two videos which mark the momentous event.
Watch and find out more here!
For a more in-depth and detailed account of the history of the Franciscan community in Singapore, the early beginnings of our parish, as well as about the Custody of St Anthony, do watch the following videos: