NATIONAL THEATRE. 1963-1986. Ink and pencil on A3 paper Found a childhood photo of myself in front of this interesting structure that I am unable to locate in Singapore’s current landscape. After some enquiries, I found out it was the iconic Singapore National Theatre. The Fort Canning MRT exit and carpark currently occupies the land. I love the fact that this theatre was built partly through public donations. More than $800,000 of the $2.2 million spent on the structure were public donations, represented by the red bricks. It is also this reason that it had another name, People’s Theatre. Apparently it was a good site to catch the National Day fireworks at the top of Fort Canning then. In 1984 it was closed due to its structural integrity. In 1986 it was demolished to make way for the construction of The Central Expressway. Art Print available at https://www.phoonies.com/product/national-theatre-art-print/ ACS CLOCK TOWER. 1950-1992 Sepia ink and pencil on A3 paper There is still a Clock Tower at Anglo-Chinese School Barker Road today but the current one was rebuilt in 1999. The current replica has the original clock mechanism of the former clock tower. This sketch is based on a photo of the first clock tower. In 1972, a revival broke out in this clock tower where many describe it similar to Pentecost in the book of Acts of the Bible. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary. For 2022, I pray for an outpouring of blessings from heaven the same or even more than the blessings in 1972. 🔥 May Acts 2:2 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting” be a reality again. Art print available at https://www.phoonies.com/product/acs-clock-tower-art-print/ PRINSEP STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sepia ink and pencil on A3 paper If you take a walk from Selegie to Bugis area, you might come across this red brick building, Princep Street Presbyterian Church. Its tower and side walls are all red brick! 😍 Took me close to 8 hours to complete. Built in 1843 in Romanesque architecture by Rev. Benjamin Peach Keasberry, it was designated as a World Heritage Site on 12 January 2000. Never knew it was under conservation till now. It was previously known as the Malay Mission Chapel. When I was sketching this church, I have the impression of living waters flowing out of it. As John 7:38 says “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”, believing that there will be many streams of rivers flowing out of this church due to their faith. Art print is available at https://www.phoonies.com/product/prinsep-street-presbyterian-church-art-print/ST GEORGE’S CHURCH Sepia ink and pencil on A3 paper This is a pretty little church inherited from the British garrison. Construction started in 1910 and completed in 1913. It is still not air-conditioned at this present moment. 😅 The church still conducts services now and its garden is very well tended. ❤️ Interestingly, there is no huge stain glass behind the altar that is common to English churches. Story says that the Garrison Chaplain Reverend H. C. Todd hid the 3 pieces of stain glass behind the altar before the Japanese invaded Singapore during WWII. He didn’t survive the war and thus the hidden stain glass were lost too. I pray Psalm 147:18 “He send out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow” over this church where the authority of God goes forth. Art print available at https://www.phoonies.com/product/st-georges-church-art-print/Sepia ink and pencil on A3 paper You will see this building on the way up to Fort Canning from Dhoby Ghaut. Usually similar church buildings are white, but this one has red bricks mix with white. Maybe that’s why I always thought it looks like a castle as a kid. I managed to find two old sepia postcards of this building dated 1910. The photos of the postcards are not very clear so I did some investigative work and assumptions of the details. The current building has new construction over it but the main structure like the tower remains. I am reminded of Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” with this sketch. The key thing is not self glory in our good works, but our Abba in heaven. Art print available at https://www.phoonies.com/product/wesley-methodist-church-art-print/
