The Construction of the Sacred Heart Cathedral

The idea of constructing a new Cathedral building was first mooted in early 1970s when it was discovered that the roof structure of the old Pro-Cathedral was weak and threatening the safety of the building. The old building was constructed in 1953 after the World War II when the former church was demolished by aerial bombing in 1960, certain renovations and additions were found necessary to cope with the increasing numbers coming to the Sacred Heart Church.

A structural engineer from among the parishioners detected the weakness of the roof structure and necessary repair and re-enforcement work was carried out at once to ensure safety for all concerned for the time being. After consultation with His Lordship the Bishop, it was agreed that the Pro-Cathedral building must be replaced in the near future. This matter was thoroughly dealt with during a series of meetings both at the parochial level(Pastoral Council or PAX). It was resolved that a Catholic Centre be built in the Sacred Heart Parish compound where it was considered to be the most central location and a place easily accessible. The proposed plan was to include the construction of a hall, so designed as to serve as a temporary place of worship while the Pro-Cathedral was being demolished and make way for the construction of a new Cathedral.

A special committee was set up charged with the task of implementing the project. Leading architects were consulted, a permit for public collections to raise funds was obtained, and income tax relief for donors contributing to the building fund was granted. It would be of interest to note that the very first persons who gave public support to the building project were a group of artists performing variety shows in Sabah. They donated proceeds from two of their shows held at the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre on April 29 & 30, 1973 to the building fund. This gave the fund raising a good start and from then on news of the building project spread far and wide and response to appeals for contributions was very encouraging, both from within the Parish and the whole Diocese.

Financial and other consider considerations made it essential to implement the project in phases. The first phase of building the Parish Hall was completed in 1975,followed by a new Rectory together with quarters for workers in 1977.

Meanwhile, drawing plans were being prepared for the new Cathedral building. The final plans were unanimously approved by PAX at its annual assembly in 1977 paving the way for the actual construction. A new task force was appointed, with myself serving as Chairman, to look into all matters pertaining to the implementation of the final and major phase of the building project. This newly selected Cathedral Building Committee held its first monthly meeting in March 1978. A leaflet was produced in August that year and copies issued to all Catholics in Sabah through the parishes informing them the building plans prior to construction and at the same time appealing for donations towards the building fund.

The following year, 1979, was a very eventful year in getting the project moving as well as in fund raising. Structural engineering plans were completed in April, and the local authorities approved the architectural plans in August. Tenders were called in June and the contruction job was awarded in August to a contractor in the sum of RM2.1 million, and with a completion time of 15 months.

Work started almost immediately with the demolition of the old Pro-Cathedral building in September. There were some feelings of regret to demolish it. But with the structure already deteriorating, badly in need of repairs, and lacking archaelogical reasons or achitectural values for being maintained, it had to be removed. Moreover, the new Cathedral had to be build on the same site because it is the most prominent.

Site preparations began in November and foundation work started before 1979 came to a close. The next few months saw the first concrete structures, for the main Cathedral entrance and the Chapel entrance, being erected. A slowdown in construction work was experienced during the second quarter of 1980 when the arrival of steel frames for the main super structures from overseas were delayed for more than two months. The steel frames finally arrived in June and work on the most complicated and difficult phase of the construction began in earnest. In October 1980, the steel super structure was completed. The cross beams and roof structure were then installed.

The long sweeping roofs form a prominent exterior feature of the building. Initially, timber shingles were considered for the roofs but for various reasons, the Building Committee decided against it. After considering a few other types of roof materials, BR-Monier tiles were selected. Installation of the roofs were completed in July 1981.

Meanwhile, othe jobs such as electrical installations, P/A and Sound Systems, window frames, were underway. All scaffoldings were taken down by mid-September 1981 giving way to work on the floorings and interior designs.

An artist from Mexico who has had wide experience in designing decorative materials for churches was commissioned to prepare a series if interior designs in the form of mosaic tiles, fiberglass, and iron works. These are for the mural above the tabernacle, side windows, baptistry, walls of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and Way of the Cross. Installation of the designs began in October 1981 when the art materials arrived by ship from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Special pews have been designed and made locally after a study was made of pews being used in Christian churches in Singapore. The job was awarded in September and completed in early November 1981. The main Cathedral has a capacity of about 1,200 on the ground and another 250 seats on the balcony. The interior of the Cathedral is column-free and the Building Committee has paid special attention to acoustic, ventilation and lighting for the building.

Work on the 130-ft. high concrete bell tower was started in August and completed in November 1981.

Another outstanding feature of the Cathedral is a baptismal pool in the shape of a cross located near the entrance to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the back of the Cathedral which faces the main road - Jalan Tengku Abdul Rahman. The pool is possibly the first of its kind in this region. The Chapel will be used for the daily Mass, baptismal Masses, wedding, funeral and other services. It can accommodate about 112 persons.

Other facilities at the Cathedral include an office for the Rector, a book-shop, Conference Room Hall, wash rooms, confessionals, sacristies for altar boys and priests and a utility room. There are also two shrines at the side entrances, one of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the other of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The successful completion of the new Cathedral building is indeed the result of a combined effort of technical, physical and financial contributions of so many people who all have a love for the house of the people of God. Speaking of financial help, I would like to add that it is a miracle that we have been able to find enough funds to sustain the rising costs in constructing the Cathedral. Right since 1973 when the first donations were received, response from Catholics in the Diocese as well as the general public in Sabah has been overwhelming. Many contributions have also come from beyond the shores of this State.

Among the arms of the Church which deserves special mention is the Sacred Heart Women's League which raised over $250,000 for the Building Fund in the last two years. Other major donors are mentioned elsewhere in this publication. One of the most touching cases was that a parishioner who had brought in quite a few coin boxes filled with coins in the past three years since construction work started. It demonstrates the enthusiasm shown by the people of God in the Diocese to build for themselves a place of worship and a true symbol of their faith.

The Cathedral as it is today A striking landmark in the State Capital, the Cathedral holds four Sunday Masses (Sunset Mass in English, First Mass in Chinese, Second Mass in English and the Third Mass in the Malay language) with a combined congregation of about 5,000 faithfuls.

The Grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes This grotto was completed in 1986 and dedicated on 15th August of that year during the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. First planned of in 1984 it was finally completed two years later at a cost of RM37,900.

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