KUCHING: The Phase One extension of St Mark’s Church in Batu Kawah has been completed, thanks to the continued support from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Unit has channelled RM2.8 million in grants since 2018, which has also assisted in the completion of the church’s Bell Tower.
“The funding was provided through several phases — RM200,000 in 2018, RM50,000 each in 2020 and 2021, RM500,000 in 2023, and RM1 million each in 2024 and 2025.
“The overall church expansion project, which will be carried out in four phases, is estimated to cost more than RM20 million. Let’s continue raising funds together,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dr Sim, who is also the Batu Kawa assemblyman, had on last Sunday presented a cheque of RM1 million from UNIFOR to St Joseph’s Cathedral’s Rector Father Nicholas Ng at the church.
The present St Mark’s Church was officially declared open in 1999 and requires expansion to accommodate its growing congregation.
The development of the parish is divided into four phases: Phase 1 consists of the construction of the parish office and rectory. Phase 2 will cover the construction of a 4 1/2 storey classroom block for meetings and Sunday School. Phase 3 will be the construction of a multi-purpose activity hall, while the final Phase 4 will be the extension of the existing Church for worship.
The blessing and ceremonial earth-breaking for the Phase One church extension took place on Mar 9, 2024.
Dr Sim also highlighted UNIFOR’s broader contributions since its establishment in 2017 under the Department of the Premier of Sarawak.
“Over the past nine years, UNIFOR has grown to more than 40 staff members under the Sarawak Civil Service and has disbursed RM475 million in grants to churches and temples for infrastructure development, as well as RM70 million in grants to mission schools,” he said.
He added that the UNIFOR Complex, costing RM70 million, was completed in Oct 2024, further reflecting the state government’s commitment to religious inclusivity.
