• The history of Saint Joseph's Church and that of its predecessor, the Church of São José, both built on the same site, are inextricably linked with the Portuguese Mission.

 

• Father Francisco da Silva Pinto e Maia of Porto, arrived from Goa in 1825 and founded the Portuguese Mission in Singapore.

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• When he died in 1850, he bequeathed money and land for the building of a small church. His funds were augmented by a gift from the King of Portugal. The church was called São José and was built from 1851 to 1853, by the man who succeeded him, the Reverend Vincente de Santa Catarina.

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• In 1906, the Church of São José was pulled down. The present Saint Joseph's Church, completed in 1912, was built on the same site by the notable firm Swan & MacLaren.

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• Situated in the church compound and attached to the Mission was Saint Anthony's Boys' and Girls' School.

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• In 1999, the Portuguese Mission handed over Saint Joseph's Church to the Archdiocese of Singapore.

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• Saint Joseph's Church was gazetted a national monument on 14 January 2005

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• The Church is now shut for restoration purposes. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing towards the restoration  project.

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