16TH SEPT, 1938
An event of historic importance at Jesselton was the formal opening of the $14,000.00 building of the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday the 14th August. Though the finishing touches (painting etc.) are yet to be given, the spacious edifice measuring 140 ft by 42 ft with a seating accommodation for over 500 people and its surroundings presented an attractive appearance when a great concourse of our cosmopolitan population arrived before the appointed time.
In addition to a large number of Catholics for whom it was indeed a red-letter day, the gathering was representative of many Non-Catholics and Non-Christians including a couple of be turbaned sikhs, and the ladies in their multicoloured dressed added to the glamour of the occasion.
Prominent among those present were Mr Tay Bee Chuan and family, Mr and Mrs T.J.H. Speedy, Mr James Beatty, Mr and Mrs C.D. Round Turner, Mrs E.R. Baker, Mr A.E. Tremenheere and representatives of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and other Associations.
The opening ceremony commenced punctually at 8 a.m. when Monsignor A. Wachter, the Prefect Apostolic of North Borneo, with his two assistants Rev. Fathers A. Sint and J. Van Haaren proceeded from the Sacristy of the old Church to bless the new Church. The choir under the capable direction of Sister St. Luke chanted the Litany of All Saints.
After the blessing a Pontifical High Mass was celebrated in the spacious sanctuary, the tile-flooring of which is the gift of Mr and Mrs T.J.H Speedy. Monsignor Wachter in glowing terms alluded to Mr Tay Bee Chuan’s very generous donation of $7,000.00 in the memory of his elder brother Tay Bee Yong who passed to the Great Beyond in China in 1934.
It was very largely due to the generosity of this philanthropist that the erection of the building was made possible and the fact that he is a Non-Catholic himself makes his contribution all the more appreciative.
The official opening of the church was attended by non-Christians as well, including Sikhs and Bobohizans (priestesses). It was officiated by Monsignor A Wachter from Austria, who was among several priests taken away from the Penampang St Michael’s parish to Tenom and executed by the Japanese during the war.
The Right Reverend Monsignor also referred to the liberal contributions made by members of the congregation and to all whom he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation.
That evening the event of the day was commemorated by an interesting dinner party at which some forty persons participated. In the convivial atmosphere of this representative gathering a special letter of thanks and appreciation was sent to Mr Tay Bee Chuan who was unavoidably unable to attend the party. The speeches veered from the serious to the lighter vein as Monsignor Wachter, Fathers A. Verhoeveh, F. Sint and J. Van Haaren spoke in turn.
Mr Paul Lee Ah Onn took this opportunity to voice the feelings of the local Catholic community in general and Old Boys of Sacred Heart School in particular, towards. Rev. Father V. Weber who has now retired to Penampang and it was regrettable that in view of his advanced age he was unable to be present there in person