Loke (fifth from left) presenting the mock cheque to Rev Xavier (on his left) and his team.
SEREMBAN’s 177-year-old Church of the Visitation has received a RM1mil donation from YTL Foundation for its building fund.
The good news was conveyed by Seremban MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook during a visit to the church, when he witnessed renovations that were underway.
Parish priest Rev Xavier Andrew was at a loss for words when Loke, who is also Transport Minister, made the announcement before the end of his visit.
Rev Xavier said a building fundraising committee was established in June last year to devise a multitude of outreach initiatives to generate RM5mil within two years.
“These funds will be allocated towards the advancement of our church’s infrastructure, encompassing the enhancement of the community hall and educational classroom facilities to better serve both the expanding congregation and broader community.
“With a congregation of some 12,000 parishioners, there exists a pressing need to enhance the infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demands for religious and cultural occasions, community activities and educational programmes for our youth.”
The church, the oldest parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, is located on a beautifully landscaped premises in the heart of Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
The present church building with its neo-Gothic architecture is a central landmark in the city and often described as among the most beautiful in the mission.
The present church complex includes the historical Parochial House as well as the Visitation Hall and Formation Centres, which were both completed in 1996. Wisma Visitation was acquired in 2008.
Rev Xavier said the committee’s previous fundraising efforts had raised up to RM400,000 during the church’s 177th anniversary gala dinner.
Loke said, “This is not only a very beautiful church, it is also a heritage building.
“We need to preserve this and to do that, it will surely be costly.”
He added that funds were also needed to build and maintain other structures next to the heritage building, such as a multipurpose hall and classrooms.
Loke said he had approached YTL Foundation.
“YTL is involved in many of our big infrastructure projects and I asked if they wished to undertake another corporate social responsibility programme.
“They approved a RM1mil donation and I am happy to be here to hand over the cheque to the church,” he said, expressing hope that this would encourage more people and corporations to assist in the fundraising initiative.
