Looking back with thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Pioneers’ Reunion on 10th February.

Here is an excerpt of a piece of history which was shared at this gathering:On a warm Sunday afternoon in February 1976, a small group of Anglicans gathered for worship in a new HDB flat at Block 13, Marine Terrace. Ho Cheow Seng and his wife, Irene, graciously opened their home to host the service. That simple gathering marked the birth of what would become Marine Parade Christian Centre or MPCC.

The 1970s were a period of rapid transformation in Singapore. Government housing blocks were mushrooming across the heartlands as part of a national programme of urbanisation. It was within this context that Canon James Wong began to articulate a visionary strategy for church planting in these new estates.

This missional impulse coincided with the charismatic renewal that swept through Singapore in the 1970s. In 1973, Bishop Chiu Ban It experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and began exercising the gift of tongues. Canon James Wong, too, was deeply touched by the Spirit. The Anglican Church was coming alive with renewed faith, expectancy, and spiritual vitality.

By 1975, the Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS), under Canon Wong’s leadership, had already planted five house churches in the western part of Singapore. Seeing the need in the East, Canon Wong gave a simple but decisive charge to Gark Teck and Soh Hian after a service at COGS: “You two go and start the church in the East.”It was 1976, barely three years after the spiritual experience of Bishop Chiu Ban it. The early waves of that renewal movement helped spark the fire that would become MPCC.

Those present at the inaugural meeting included believers from both COGS and St Andrew’s Cathedral. Among them were Gark Teck, Soh Hian, Jane Yang, Doris Leong, Beng Choo, Tuck Loong, Canon James Wong, and his wife Esther. For many, this was their first meeting with one another, and much of the afternoon was spent simply getting acquainted. The 2.00 pm timing suited Canon Wong’s demanding Sunday schedule, as he ministered across multiple locations each week.

As an extension centre of COGS, it felt natural to name the new work Marine Parade Christian Centre. The fellowship continued meeting in the Marine Terrace flat for nearly a year. Over time, it grew to about forty people—enough to draw the attention of neighbours. As MPCC grew, she needed larger halls for Services and facilities for offices and other meetings as well.   These included facilities in Church of Singapore, YWCA, a large bungalow at Nallur Road and later in theatres such as Republic and Liberty, where attendance eventually exceeded 400.

From early on, MPCC exhibited many hallmarks of the charismatic renewal: 1. Strong lay leadership involvement, 2. Active evangelism 3. Simple communal worship songs that were accessible and relatable and 4. Preaching that was inspiring and faith-building.

Many youths were reached during this season. Dynamic leaders such as Kong Hee and Tuck Yoong led large and vibrant cell groups. Clergy and pastors including David Stitt, Peng Cheng, Kingsley Ponniah, and Inban Caldwell also served the church. MPCC developed a strong church-planting DNA, viewing growth not merely as expansion, but as a resource to multiply new works.

Some later interpreted this season of rapid growth and movement as a sign of inherent “instability.” Others discerned the unmistakable hand of God, moving MPCC to release and multiply. In 1989, Kong Hee left with a group of youths to start City Harvest Church. That same year, Tuck Yoong, who had earlier been sent to pioneer the Bedok Christian Church, went on to establish Cornerstone Community Church.

About 150 members remained with the newly appointed Vicar, the Revd Inban Caldwell. In 1991, MPCC attained Parish Status, followed by the bold step of purchasing a freehold property at 100 Tembeling Road, embarking on a $3.5 million building project. At the time, the property was relatively affordable, as the Joo Chiat area was then considered somewhat sleazy. Many dedicated lay leaders served faithfully alongside Revd Inban to build up the young parish.

Story to be continued.