Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam — Attraction in Penang

Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam (Malay: Gereja St Anne, Tamil: புனித அன்னாள் தேவாலயம், Punitha annaal Tēvālayam), is a Roman Catholic church located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia. It is one of the parishes in the Diocese of Penang. Its annual celebration of the feast of St Anne regularly attracts over 100,000 pilgrims from Malaysia as well as neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia. The celebration lasts for 10 days, and includes the actual feast day on 26 July.

The origins of St. Anne's Sanctuary can be traced back to as far back as 1833, when Chinese and Indian migrant workers arrived from the Batu Kawan area in Penang. In 1840, Chinese Catholics settled at the foothills of Bukit Mertajam and worked in the farms and orchards. At that time, there was already an established parish in Batu Kawan. Thus, French missionaries from Batu Kawan came to Bukit Mertajam to minister to the Catholic families in the area.

The Catholics in Bukit Mertajam then numbered about 190. Fr. Adolphe Couellan, MEP was the first visiting priest, and it was not long later that he saw the need for a chapel. Consequently, he built one on top of the hill, about two kilometres from the town of Bukit Mertajam. The foundation and cornerstone of this first chapel can still be seen at its original site at St. Anne's Hill today.

The earliest records of the parish were that of baptisms in 1846, making it the year the parish was officially established. Consequently, from 1860 onwards, visiting priests came from Permatang Tinggi. With the increase in the Catholic population, a bigger chapel was built in 1865 by Fr. Maistre MEP. The foundation stones of this second chapel can be found behind St. Anne's Water Fount.

Four years later, Fr. Allard MEP was assigned to the parish and became its first resident parish priest. In 1883, Fr. F. P. Sorin MEP took over the parish and served for 15 years. It was Fr. Sorin who built a bigger church in 1888 for the locals as the Catholic population increased. Today, this same church still stands and has become the revered Shrine of Harmony. It was also fondly called the “Old Church” by local parishioners. Incidentally, Fr. Sorin died on the feast of St. Anne, 26th July 1907 and he was buried in the main aisle of the church that he built.

Soon after the Japanese occupation, the threat of Communism loomed over Malaysia. In 1948, the British Government to declare a State of Emergency, the church grounds were designated as a no-go area. Curfew was imposed and there was food rationing as well. Many restrictions were imposed on the local population. Bukit Mertajam Hill was often bombarded by the army as communist terrorists were believed to be hiding there.

Generally, many Chinese were suspected to be communist sympathisers by the British Government and they were uprooted from their lands and houses and relocated to the infamous Chinese New Villages throughout the country. Around Bukit Mertajam, we can still find them in Berapit, Machang Bubuk, Sungai Lembu and Junjung. Eventually, the church grounds (old church) were declared out of bounds and labelled as a "black area" because of the communist insurgency. Thus, church services were temporarily held in the chapel of the Holy Infant Jesus Convent instead of the church. It was only in 1960 that the emergency was lifted. In 1977, the church started moving back to the St. Anne's Shrine and restoration works begin, due to being abandoned for a long time. The stained glass inside and one of the three bells...

It is one of Malaysia’s most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites. It was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica in 2023, making it the first in the northern region of Malaysia.

History & Significance

Founded in 1846 by French missionaries, the church is dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Over the years, it has grown into an important religious and cultural landmark, attracting thousands of devotees, particularly during the St. Anne’s Feast, celebrated annually in July. This event draws pilgrims from across Malaysia and neighboring countries.

Architecture & Features

The basilica consists of two main structures:

The Old Church (1888) – A charming neo-Gothic chapel built from laterite stone, reflecting its rich historical roots. The New Church (2002) – A grander structure with modern elements, accommodating the growing number of worshippers.

Other significant features include the St. Anne’s Waterfont, Stations of the Cross, and a Grotto of St. Anne, where visitors offer prayers.

Pilgrimage & Devotion

St. Anne’s Church is a symbol of faith, unity, and heritage. Pilgrims visit to seek blessings, offer prayers, and participate in the novena and candlelight processions. The church’s serene surroundings, combined with its spiritual significance, make it a cherished place for both locals and...

I went to your Gift shop, i enter, there is no one in the counter, so decided, to look for item to purchase,  so got the item, it is worth RM90, i wanted to bless, at that point, Priest not available, i decide to ask favor from my friend(off that day), who working in GIFT SHOP, i call him, he said, ok, i ask me  to pass the CROSS to the Supervisor and he will get back to me after the CROSS blessed by the Priest. What  happened is the Supervisor, say, for SECURITY purpose and short of manpower,  that my friend cannot do this help. I did not ask the Supervisor for help,I asked my friend for help. With power and an ego voice, she says she will not allow my friend to help me to bless the cross.  I do not understand what her problem is. She is short of manpower, 3 ladys inside one room, chit chat, no one at the counter, that call is short of manpower.  Plus she says, SECURITY reason, there is CCTV plus SECURITY. I know that CATHOLIC person, will help each other, but her behaviour looks like she loves the power, than to be a good Catholic person. Very disappointed. One more, are they sales GOLD in the Gift shop, all the item expensive like like, Gold, you target rich people only. Management very...