The Armenian Church, consecrated to Saint Gregory the Illuminator, is the oldest church in Singapore. Positioned on the Hill Street in the Museum Planning area in Singapore, the Armenian Church is the true embodiment of the glorious architectural past of Singapore. The designs of this old Singaporean church were created by the famous architect, George Drumgoole Coleman. The Armenian Church was declared formally a national monument, on the 6th of July in 1973.
In the year 1833, the site for the building of the Armenian Church, was granted by the Government of Singapore to the Armenian community. The construction of the church was completed in 1835 and in the year 1836, it was devoted to St. Gregory, the Illuminator, the first patriarch of the Church in Armenia, by Reverend Eleaza Ingergolie. The Armenian Church was built following the British neo-classical architectural approach and was inspired by the architectural style of St. Gregory’s Church of Echmiadzin, Armenia’s holiest city. The building of the church is circular in shape with square porticos jutting out. The chancel or the altar of the Armenian Church is a semi-circular structure while the tower of the church, which is octagonal, is mounted by the church spire which has got a cross with a ball atop. The architectural patter of the church building was adapted according to the tropical Singaporean climate with the large verandas offering safety and shelter to the wooden louvered windows against heavy downpours. The church benches are supported with rattan, a much lighter material than wood.
The northern, southern and western sections of the church are embellished with the Tuscan Doric porticos having triangular gables atop. The main entrance of the Armenian Church in the east contains a convex apse with a pediment, 1835 being inscribed on it marking the year of establishment of the Armenian Church. The porticos in the other three directions of the building were designed for the easy passage of the horse carriages up to the church doors through the porticos. Though it’s a common belief that the inner circular structure of the Armenian Church look like that of the Cambridge Round Church, the original concept belongs to the square cross which is associated with the Cross of Christ. Presently, the Armenian Church offers Armenian and Eastern Orthodox services at the time of Easter and Christmas. Divine Liturgy, Vespers and Matins in the Armenian Church are held only by the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox society. The Armenian Church served as the site for the Singapore Biennale’s exhibition in 2006.
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