The Orchard Road Presbyterian Church (ORPC), Singapore

The Orchard Road Presbyterian Church (ORPC), Singapore

The Orchard Road Presbyterian Church (ORPC) is one of the earliest Presbyterian Churches in Singapore. It was also famous as the Scots Church due to the considerable number of Scots in the congregation. A minister came to serve the small Scottish Community of 37 in 1856, holding services in a chapel. An older Presbyterian Church for the local community was in nearby Prinsep Street. Plans were prepared for a $20,000 Church Building. In November 1878, the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church opened at its corner of Orchard Road. With its Neo-Gothic elements and cupola inspired by Indian churches, it was dubbed 'Greja Kecil'(small church, in Malay) by the locals, because of its diminutive size.  The congregation was mainly made up of British expatriates until World War II, and numbered about 400 for almost a century. During the Japanese Occupation, the building was used as a supply base for the Japanese troops. It was during this time that much of its early records were destroyed.

Interior - The Orchard Road Presbyterian Church (ORPC)

The church reopened in 1947 and in subsequent decades, was extended and modernized. Air-conditioning was introduced, and a three-storey building was built, linking to the original building via a walkway. The departure of Scottish and British expatriates in the 1960s almost marked the end of the church, until it left its affiliations with England and joined the Singapore Presbyterian council of churches, or synod, in 1971. Today, its membership is predominantly Singaporean. Only about 150 are expatriates among about 4,400 worshipers who attend services. It has now enough Mandarin speaking people to form their own congregation. Indonesian and German-speaking groups also worship here.
Orchard Road Presbyterian Church is located at the Bras Basah (city) end of Orchard Road. It is next to the YMCA and across the road from The Cathay and SOTA. Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is right next door to the church (Use Exit A - North South Line). This station is served by North South (NS), North East (NE) and Circle (CC) lines. There are 8 bus stops around the church - location (LTA Bus Stop No): YMCA (08041), SMU(04121), Plaza by the Park (04019), NTUC Income Prinsep House (08079), MacDonald House (08058), Hotel Rendezvous (08069), Dhoby Ghaut Station (08057 & 08031)
SUNDAY SERVICES
9:00    A.M.   English, English Youth
11:30  A.M.   Mandarin (Providence Presbyterian Church)
2:30    P.M.    Indonesian
4:30   P.M.    German (Not Every Week)
6:00    P.M.    English

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