Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore

Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore

Saint Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore, the largest of its kind in the country, is an example of Neo-Gothic architecture, notable for its distinctive Madras chunam finish. In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles allocated this land for an Anglican church, but construction didn't start until 1835 when funds were finally secured. It was named Saint Andrew in honor of the Scottish contributors.

The initial church was designed in the Neo-Classical style by George Drumgoole Coleman. After some criticism that it resembled a "Town Hall, a College, or an Assembly Room," a spire was added in 1842. Unfortunately, this spire lacked a lightning conductor, and as a result, the church experienced two lightning strikes in 1845 and 1849. After these incidents, it was considered unsafe, resulting in its closure in 1852 and demolition three years later.

The construction of a second church was initiated by William Butterworth, the Governor of the Straits Settlements at the time. The design was entrusted to Colonel Ronald MacPherson. MacPherson created a Gothic Revival cathedral, reportedly drawing inspiration from Netley Abbey, a 13th-century church ruin in Hampshire, England. The piers in Saint Andrew's nave closely resemble those that survived at Netley.

In the apse, three stained glass windows honor key figures in Singapore's colonial history: Sir Stamford Raffles in the center, John Crawfurd on the left, and Major General William Butterworth on the right. The cathedral also showcases its ties to the Anglican Communion and the See of Canterbury through three items: the Canterbury Stone with a replica of the Canterbury Cross, the Coventry Cross made from salvaged nails from Coventry Cathedral, and the Coronation Carpet used during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in Westminster Abbey.

During the Japanese invasion, Saint Andrew's Cathedral served as an emergency hospital, and since 1973, it has held the status of a National Monument of great significance in Singapore.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Singapore. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Saint Andrew's Cathedral on Map

Sight Name: Saint Andrew's Cathedral
Sight Location: Singapore, Singapore (See walking tours in Singapore)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Singapore, Singapore

Create Your Own Walk in Singapore

Create Your Own Walk in Singapore

Creating your own self-guided walk in Singapore is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chinatown Walking Tour

Chinatown Walking Tour

Ethnic Chinese make up the majority of the Singaporean population. Therefore, it's no wonder that Chinatown is one of the top tourist destinations in the city. This vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood is steeped in history and tradition and is home to several iconic landmarks.

Undoubtedly, the most prominent of them is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, housing a sacred relic...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Colonial District Walking Tour

Colonial District Walking Tour

Singapore emerged as the British India Company's trading post in Southeast Asia in the early 19th century. The Colonial District of Singapore, also known as the Civic District, is a historical gem reflecting the island nation's colonial past. Spread across the banks of the Singapore River, the European-style buildings in the area attest to that period.

One prominent landmark here is...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Singapore Introduction Walking Tour

Singapore Introduction Walking Tour

Malay legend has it that a long time ago the Sumatran prince, who sought shelter from a storm, ended up on the island of Temasek where he saw a strange animal believed to be a lion. He then founded a city there and named it Singapura which in Sanskrit means the “Lion City”. In the 14th century, Singapura found itself “between a rock and a hard place” when the neighboring realms of Thailand...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Traveler's Guide to Singapore: 15 Souvenirs to Bring Home

Traveler's Guide to Singapore: 15 Souvenirs to Bring Home

Known as one of the Four Asian Tigers (or Dragons), Singapore is a thriving metropolis and one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in Asia. Home to multi-ethnic community, the city carefully preserves and proudly exhibits its colorful identity, manifested - among other forms - in the...
12 Singapore Foods You Should Not Miss

12 Singapore Foods You Should Not Miss

Food is a national passion for Singaporeans. Locals think and talk about food incessantly, often thinking nothing of travelling for miles across the island and queuing for hours just to taste one of their favourite dishes. Singaporeans abroad will bemoan being parted from their favourite foods,...