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The CHIJMES in Singapore |
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The CHIJMES, a historical complex in Singapore was formerly a Catholic convent, known by the abbreviation CHIJ or The Convent of the Infant Jesus. The CHIJMES is situated at the Victoria Street in Singapore's main business district of Central Area. It served as a Catholic convent for long131 years. The CHIJMES located in the heart of the Singapore city is an s$100 million funded project, unparalleled in its superb ambience and strategic location. The CHIJMES received the Merit Award from the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards in the year 2002 for conserving its cultural heritage.
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History of the CHIJMES Complex
Reverand Mother Mathilde Raclot was one of four French nuns to arrive in Penang in the October of 1852.She played the pivotal role in CHIJMES's history. The nuns reached Singapore from Penang on the 5th of February, 1854.They resided at the convent-quarters known as the Caldwell House which was designed by the famous architect of the time George Drumgoole Coleman in the neo-classical style.
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| Mother Mathilde devoted 20 long years to turn the convent into an orphanage, a school and a haven for the destitute women. The entire CHIJMES complex was gifted by Father Beurel to sister Matilde after he bought the entire stretch of land in between the Victoria Street and the North Bridge Road. The CHIJMES Complex houses a Gothic-styled chapel which is now known as the CHIJMES Hall. Father Charles Benedict Nain laid out the design for the Gothic chapel and the chapel was constructed in 1904.The Chapel held its last service on 3rd November, 1983 and after that it was desecrated and the convent gates were shut.
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The CHIJMES Complex has been renovated and shops, restaurants, and even entertainment centers have now sprung up inside the complex.
Architecture Lay-Out of the CHIJMES Complex
Architecturally the CHIJMES is a self-sufficient city -block containing buildings of
different styles and varieties to enhance the beauty and diversity of the complex. Caldwell's House where the nuns once resided is the oldest building in this complex. The Gothic-styled chapel next to the Caldwell House has nicely detailed wall-frescoes, plasterworks and stained glass panels. Father Nain designed the Anglo-French chapel and it was built in the year, 1904.The entrance to the Gothic Chapel is marked by a five-storied spire flanked on both sides by flying-buttresses. The upper parts of the columns and corridors in the chapel are adorned with the design of tropical birds and plants.
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