St. George’s Church is set next door to the Penang State Museum & Art Gallery. Built in 1817 by the East India Company using convict labour, it is Southeast Asia’s oldest Anglican church and one of the oldest buildings in Penang. The architecture and design is largely Greek and relatively unpretentious. The gracefully proportioned building was designed by Captain Robert Smith (a military engineer) whose beautiful oil paintings still hang in the Penang State Museum. The interior is a cool pastel blue with marble floors and outside the main building on the church grounds is a memorial to Sir Francis Light in the form of a Greek temple – an elegant pavilion with definite Victorian style to it. It was built in 1886 on the centenary of the founding of Penang
During World War II the church was badly damaged by one of the many Japanese air raids on Penang Island and then looted of most of its contents, so that today, the only original artefacts left are the Bishops Chair and the Baptism Font.
St George's was awarded National Heritage Status in 2007 and since then has undergone a full restoration and is now open to the public once again.
Parking is conveniently available right on the church grounds for rm10. You can visit inside the church at the following times :
St George's Church Visitor Opening Hours :
Monday to Thursday : 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Friday : Closed
Saturday : Open by appointment only.
Sunday : Closed
The church opened a new Heritage Centre in 2016 (in preparation for their 200 year anniversary!), offering a historical photographic exhibition, souvenirs, books.... They also serve tea and coffee, as well as cake. This is great if you need an ac break!
The Heritage Centre is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Geocache: you do not have to enter the church grounds to find this cache.