KOTA KINABALU: Once used as an informal medical facility during the World War II era, a chapel in the Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) close to the city is now on rocky grounds.
This chapel, which was built in 1904 with a 350-seating capacity, has been used by Christians of various denominations for their prayers whenever their programmes are held.
However, the hill slopes were damaged following recent downpours which triggered landslides around the STS compound.
Reverend Datuk Dr Thu En Yu, the principal of the seminary, said that their most urgent need right now is to repair the slopes where the chapel is situated.
He explained that the remedial works would cost over RM2mil.
As the chapel operates on public funding and private sourcing means, Thu said he hoped people are willing to chip in.
He took the opportunity to thank Sabah MCA Wanita chief Datuk Dr Pamela Yong and Likas MCA community leader Dr Chang Kee Ying who managed to secure a RM150,000 grant from the National Unity Ministry.
Yong called upon Malaysians to help save this 117-year-old chapel as there is still a long way to go to preserve its beauty and history.
“Please do contact the seminary if you would like to personally contribute to the repairs surrounding the grounds caused by the recent landslides.
“Sabahans showed our indomitable spirit when we came together following the 2015 Ranau earthquake,” she said.
Yong urged Sabahans to once again join hands for a good cause as mutual respect and harmony are the hallmarks of Sabah’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious makeup.
More than 1,000 students from Malaysia and across South-East Asia pursue theological studies at the STS whose facilities include an administration and teaching block, a chapel, lecturers’ apartments, students’ hostel and a computerised library.
A wide range of academic and practical courses are offered in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and English.
The seminary is interdenominational and is supported by a broad base of churches both in Malaysia and abroad.