History of St. Francis De Sales Church, Sitiawan

A. From 1894 to 1929

At the beinning of the century, the district of Dinding was rather a secluded area without communication with the the rest of the country. The whole area consisted of rubber estates. The early priest came from Penang by boat.

In 1911, Fr. Perissaud, the priest of Tapah, built a chapel to Our lady Of Mt. Carmel in Lumut.

In those days all the rubber estate managers here Europeans, some of them were catholics and helpful to the church(one Mr. Smith from Sitiawan Estate is particularly remembered)Through him, Father Perrisaud got a land about 4 aeres where built the 1st wooden church. It was situated an Kg. Sitiawan Road almost in front to the eatate road going towards Sitiawan Sitiawan Eatate cemetry.

The former church of St. Francis De Sales was also built by Fr. Perissaud. on a land obtained from the government. Building work commenced 1928 and was completed on 2 Dec 1929. Once this church was completed, it was dedicated to St. Francis de Sales. This church was used until recenly.

B. From 1929 to 1953

Once the church was built Sitiawan necome a outstation parish for Taiping, with Fr. Olcomendy ( who later became the archbishop of Singapore) as the Parish Priest (1929 - 1936)

He was preceeded by Fr.Aloysius(1936 - 1946) who built the chapel of Ayer Tawar, and Fr. Deepoiziewt(1934 - 1938) who built the church in bruas.

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