THE second phase of restoration works at the historic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Pagar Tras, Bukit Mertajam is expected to begin soon, marking another significant step towards preserving one of mainland Penang’s treasured heritage sites.
Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis said the Diocese of Penang was pleased to move forward with the next phase following preparatory meetings with the Penang government and its Catholic Heritage Conservation Committee.
He said the conservation initiative, themed ‘On 100 Year Trail – Pagar Tras’, was launched in 2021 through a partnership between the Diocese of Penang and the state government’s Tourism and Creative Economy Committee.
“The project aims to preserve the church’s remaining ruins and transform the historic site into a prominent tourist attraction, particularly for mainland Penang.
“The first phase of the project has been completed. It included a soil analysis and the preservation of the church’s remaining walls, which were reinforced with steel girders,” he said during a site visit to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kulim, Kedah, today.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, French Ambassador to Malaysia Marc Abensour and Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed.
The delegation had earlier visited the historic Pagar Tras church in Bukit Mertajam to witness the ongoing efforts to safeguard its heritage.
Looking ahead, Sebastian said the Diocese of Penang envisioned developing the Pagar Tras site into a historical landmark, tourist attraction and pilgrimage centre.
“To support this vision, the diocese plans to enhance the site with landscaping, proper parking facilities and informative display panels to help visitors appreciate its rich history.
“In addition, a dedicated viewing room at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kulim will be established to showcase artefacts salvaged and preserved from the heritage church.
“Among the items visitors can look forward to seeing are the church’s original stained-glass windows, religious statues, wooden carvings depicting the Stations of the Cross, sacred vessels, relics, three original bronze bells, old registers and a unique wooden clergy chair assembled without nails,” he said.
Sebastian also expressed his appreciation to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Think City and the Diocese of Penang for their collaboration in organising workshops to document the oral history of Pagar Tras.
He congratulated the partners on the publication of History and Heritage of Pagar Tras, which documents the site’s historical significance and preserves the stories of those who contributed to its legacy.
“Let us honour the legacy of those who came before us by preserving the stories they shared, safeguarding the structures they built, and passing on this treasured heritage to future generations.
“Together, we can ensure that their memory endures and that the spirit of Faith, Hope and Love continues to flourish in our hearts and communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jagdeep reaffirmed the Penang government’s commitment to preserving heritage sites across both the island and mainland, stressing that the state’s historical legacy extended far beyond George Town, which was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
He said the Pagar Tras church was a testament to the rich heritage found throughout Penang and deserved to be preserved for future generations.
“Heritage is something that, for us as the Penang government, is important not just on the island but also on the mainland.
“Although we were inscribed as a George Town World Heritage Site, we can see heritage everywhere in Penang,” he said.
Jagdeep said the restoration of the church was also in line with the state’s efforts to strengthen its tourism sector, which is Penang’s second-largest economic sector after manufacturing.
He expressed hope that the restored church would become another tourist destination on the mainland and, potentially, a pilgrimage site for the Catholic community.
He also confirmed that the state government had pledged RM1 million towards the restoration project, although the overall cost was expected to be significantly higher due to the scale and historical importance of the structure.
“RM1 million is what we have contributed, and most likely, very, very definitely, it’s going to cost more than that because it is a monumental structure that has so much history,” he said.
Drawing on George Town’s experience in preserving its historic buildings, Jagdeep said the state government would maintain stringent standards throughout the restoration process.
He added that the local councils on both the island and mainland would ensure that all restoration works complied with the necessary technical requirements for heritage conservation.
“With the next phase of restoration on the horizon, the Pagar Tras church is poised to regain its place as an important historical landmark, while preserving the stories, faith and traditions that have shaped its legacy,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud