Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sibu, Roman Catholic cathedral in Sibu, Malaysia
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Sibu, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The building has tall stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes and combines European church features with local architectural details.
The cathedral started in 1905 as a simple wooden structure built on stilts, a common building method in Sarawak at the time. It was rebuilt in brick in 1953 and took its current form in 1985.
The cathedral serves Catholics from several ethnic groups living in Sibu, including Iban, Chinese, and Malay communities. During services, prayers and hymns are often heard in more than one language, reflecting the everyday reality of this town.
The cathedral stands on Jalan Lanang and is within walking distance of central Sibu, making it easy to reach on foot. Visitors planning to attend a service should dress modestly, and it is worth checking local times before arriving.
After a renovation completed in 2015, the building can hold over 3,000 worshippers, which makes it one of the larger Catholic churches in East Malaysia. The site itself sits close to the Rejang River, an area that was historically prone to flooding.
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