Chijmes

CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes",Chinese: 赞美广场) is a historic building complex in Singapore, which began life as a catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) (圣婴女修院) and convent quarters known as Caldwell House (古德威尔屋). The complex is located in Victoria St in the Downtown Core within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.

This complex of convent buildings has a gothic style chapel. It was used as a Catholic convent for 132 years, with Caldwell House constructed in 1840–1841 and the chapel in 1904. The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall (赞美礼堂), and Caldwell House, now an art gallery; have both been gazetted as National Monuments. The complex has been restored for commercial purposes as a shopping, dining and entertainment centre with ethnic restaurants, shops with a function hall, providing a backdrop for musicals, performances and weddings.

History

In October 1852, four nuns arrived in Penang. On 2 February 1854, the nuns sailed to Singapore from Penang on a mission to build a school for girls. On 5 February 1854, they reached the island's shores and took up residence at the first convent quarters, Caldwell House.

The last religious service was held in the chapel on 3 November 1983, after which the chapel was deconsecrated and the town convent was closed. Careful restoration work has preserved much of the original structure of the convent and the chapel. After almost five and a half years of conservation and construction work, what was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus and the seat of education for generations of Singapore girls, has been converted into a plaza of theme retail and food and beverage outlets interspersed with ample outdoor spaces and courtyards and long, covered walkways. This haven in the city hub of Singapore, now known as CHIJMES, is an S$100 million project unmatched for its location and unique ambiance.

It won a Merit Award in the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2002.

The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel and Caldwell House were gazetted as a national Monument on 26 October 1990.

Address: 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996

Get there: City Hall MRT, Bras Basah MRT

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIJMES