An aerial view of the church after the fire that razed its premises in October 2021.
House of worship in Banting sustained extensive damage in October 2021 fire
THE Banting Mar Thoma Church (Banting MTC) has launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild its premises.
An electrical fire in October 2021 razed the church building, save for its brick walls.
Present at the donation drive launch were Selangor state executive councillor Papparaidu Veraman, parish priest Rev Mathew K. Punnoose, Klang Mar Thoma vicar and president Rev KS Mathew and Pastor Stanley Anand of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
They were among the 200 people at the event.
Papparaidu said he would look into helping the church when new allocations are made for non-Muslim houses of worship by the Selangor government next year.
The state government had last year and this year given donations amounting to RM100,000 while former Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar contributed RM35,000.
(From left) Papparaidu, Kuala Langat parliamentary coordinator Haridass Ramasamy and Rev Mathew launching the campaign by dropping contributions into the collection box.
Rebuilding project convenor Thomas Zacharia George said the committee would be finalising the architectural drawing of the church restoration in a few weeks.
The church estimated that the rebuilding project will cost RM1mil and could be completed in eight months.
Since the fire, the church’s over 100 parishioners have been attending the Anglican Church and the Tamil Methodist Church in Banting.
Situated along the scenic Morib coastline, Banting MTC was initially a wooden building built in 1968.
In 1998, it was enlarged and replaced with a brick building.
Thomas said the processing of insurance claims and waiting period for approvals by local authorities had delayed the church’s reconstruction.
Those who wish to support the fundraising campaign can contact or WhatsApp 016-252 9490.
