One of Sarawak’s oldest churches has been officially reopened for prayer services.
The newly-restored Sacred Heart Chapel stands next to Sungai Bawan in Kanowit town, Sibu.
It was built in 1898 by the Mill Hill Missionaries.
Constructed with belian wood, known as the “king of all woods” for its longevity, the chapel’s structure is expected to endure for centuries.
The restoration project, costing RM500,000, was funded by the Unit for Other Religions under the Sarawak Premier’s Department.
This has enabled the chapel, which can accommodate 100 people, to continue to be a prayer venue for Catholics living in longhouses nearby.
The Catholic Diocese of Sibu said the chapel was often referred to as a “gem in the jungle”.
Sibu Bishop Joseph Hii officiated the reopening of the chapel.
He also led the soft launch of the chapel as a pilgrimage centre for the Jubilee 2025 celebration themed “Pilgrims of Hope”.
The reopening and soft launch event was attended by a congregation of more than 350 local parishioners who were accompanied by Father George Omuto and Father Ravi Pulagam.
In a Facebook post, the Sibu Catholic Diocese stated that the chapel held cultural and spiritual importance for the local community.
“The chapel is a symbol of the blending of Iban traditions and Catholic practices.
“Its architecture and religious art often incorporate Iban motifs, reflecting the cultural adaptation that was central to the missionaries’ approach.
“This cultural synthesis makes the chapel a unique pilgrimage site where visitors can experience the rich heritage of the Iban Catholic community,” it stated.
The chapel’s remote location, surrounded by Sarawak’s rainforests, is described as a peaceful environment for prayer and contemplation.
The post also linked the chapel’s significance to it having been chosen as one of the three pilgrimage centres for the jubilee.
For the celebration, the chapel will host special events, including masses, processions and cultural performances.
The other two pilgrimage centres are St Anthony’s Heritage centre (built in 1940) in Sarikei and St Teresa Oratory (built in 1960) in Sungai Merah, Sibu.
For Catholics, the Jubilee 2025 marks the 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is a time for spiritual renewal, forgiveness and deepening of faith.
