Ching Ang Methodist Church

Design Vision

In 1903, the first batch of the pioneering migrants from China established the church in Sungai Sadit, down-stream from Sibu, Sarawak.

Though poverty stricken, faith was central to the farming community. A small school was built alongside the church.

Started as an attap shack, it was rebuilt as a modest timber building in 1941 and later, a semi concrete structure in 1976.

The latest version of the building structure was completed in 2022. It is almost entirely built in steel & brick with very little use of timber to avoid the hassle of rampant termite infestation.

Even though the size of the church building had increased at every ‘change’ occasion, all 4 versions of the church building stood on the same site, providing a unique historical story line of the church.

The salvageable timber windows, doors, frames and panels etc. that were collected over years were reassembled into a church like structure, to house these historical relics – a museum of some sort. This structure is located at a corner of the site and it is adjacent to the main church building.

Over the years, a 3-storey Kindergarten was added. It is located adjacent to the church.

Over the span of 120 years, changes were inevitable.

Dilapidation, spatial inadequacy and keeping up with modern worship trends had demanded a relook at the church building every 30-40 years or so.

The client now looks for a continuing legacy of faith.

A building that is rich embodiment of theological thinking and which befits the representation of a strong congregation of 400.

Design Concept

A verse in the Bible formulates the design concept

“Behold. The tabernacle is with men”
Revelation 21:3

Tabernacle is a tent like structure the Hebrew people erected in the wilderness during their exodus from Egypt.

To the people, the tabernacle symbolizes the presence of God.

The new church building is tent like in form but it has an elongated plan which resembles that of a ‘longhouse’– a vernacular built form common in Sarawak.

The layout is simple and pragmatic.

Arrival is at the forecourt leading to the worship sanctuary. A fellowship hall and an office are arranged in linear format and they are served by a covered walkway lengthwise.

The kindergarten classrooms and the toilet block on the other three (3) sides of a rectangular central courtyard creates a cloister like set up. All the rooms on the 3 sides are single room deep which enjoy good cross ventilation & natural lights.

Design Technology

For ease of construction and cost consideration, industrial portal frames were used.

Insulated roof topped with 0.48mm TCT Bluescope Steel Unilok profile (Vermoe Elegance Olive) seamlessly fitted in without fuss.

Concealed rainwater gutter integrates with the ‘pergola’ like trellis climbing frame.

The long elevation fronting the drive way has a green trellis wall where the church comes together during the weekends to grow vining vegetables.

The edible green will provide a green shade to the only exposed elevation reducing heat gain for the sanctuary.

This green effect also reflects the farming community the building serves.

From Vision to Design Concept to Execution, the building reflects beauty through simplicity; nobility and is compellingly gracious.