Armenian Church Of St Gregory
60, Hill Street, Singapore 179366
Civic District Trail 2, Marker 9

Most people don't even know that there exists an Armenian community in Singapore. By having the Armenian Church standing until today, the building educates Singaporeans on the values, traditions and cultures of the Armenian community in Singapore. This results in better understanding between different religions and hence educate and unite the community. It plays a vital role in educating the community on a small community that has been existing in Singapore for a long time and has definitely contributed to Singapore's progress.

The Armenian Church is the oldest surviving Christian church and was the first to be built in Singapore. The cost of construction, recorded as 5,058 Spanish Dollars, was borne by the Armenian community in Singapore, India and Java as well as European and non-Christian Asian merchants of Chinese, Malay, Arab and Jewish origins.

It was built in 1835-36 by G. D. Coleman, the noted architect who also designed Parliament House, the first St Andrew's Cathedral and the present Telok Ayer Market. (Coleman first came to Singapore in 1823 and was appointed Superintendent of Public Works, Overseer of Convict Labour and Land Surveyor in 1833).

The interior of the church is in the traditional Armenian style. The exterior (which originally featured a domed roof) is a neoclassical design by G. D. Coleman. The Armenian Church is one the few surviving examples of his work and is considered one of his finest. It was consecrated on 26 March 1836.

Singapore's Armenian communities had been small but prosperous. The were only twelve Armenians in Singapore when the church was built and no more than one hundred at its subsequent peak. Although the community has declined in number, regular Orthodox Christian services continue to be held at the Church.

Also known as the Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, named for the 4th century monk who converted the Armenians to Christianity, the Armenian Church was consecrated on 26 March 1836. The community it served was modest in size, but prosperous and prolific. Among its more well-known members were the Catchick Moses, who co-founded the Straits Times newspaper, Sarkies Brothers, who established Raffles Hotel, and Agnes Joaquim who discovered Singapore's national flower - the Vanda Miss Joaquim - a natural hybrid orchid which was named after her in 1893 (which is now the Singapore's national flower - Vanda Miss Joaquim).

The Armenian Church also bears the significance of being the first building to have electricity in 1909, when electric lights and fans were installed.

Although it has been many years since regular Armenian services have been held at the church - the last appointed priest having retired in the late 1930s - the Armenian Church and its immediate surroundings have been carefully maintained.