The newly revamped Changi Chapel & Museum (CCM) features new content and artefacts presented in an intimate and engaging format to tell the story of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation. As part of the revamp, the National Museum of Singapore which manages CCM has been collecting stories and personal objects from families of former internees that emphasise their personal experiences. The museum’s narrative is centred on remembrance and reflection, encouraging visitors to contemplate both the hardships that the internees underwent, as well as their courage and resilience in the face of difficulties.

This chapel is modelled after St George’s Church, one of the numerous churches built by the prisoners of war (POWs) in Changi during their internment. It was started by Reverend Eric Cordingly, who presided over it for the rest of the war. The furnishings for the church were painstakingly handcrafted or scavenged by the POWs.

As the POWs were moved across Singapore and Thailand, St George’s Church moved with them. A second version of the church was built at Kanchanaburi when POWs were sent to work on the Thai-Burma Railway, and two more versions were rebuilt at Changi Gaol by the returning POWs. In all of its iterations, the church continued to provide hope and comfort to the men who attended its services.

1000 Upper Changi Road North, Changi Chapel and Museum

The Singapore Buddhist Lodge on Kim Yam Road has recently celebrated its 85th anniversary with the opening of a new worship hall and the consecration of a golden Buddha statue.

The Singapore Buddhist Lodge was first known as The Singapore Buddhist Sutra Distribution Center. Following a series of expansion preparations, The Singapore Buddhist Lodge was established in 17 June 1934. After which the Lodge continues to expand, and charitable programmes are added to benefit all good friends of the public.

17 to 19 Kim Yam Road

Tel: +65 6737 2630 Email: sbl@sbl.org.sg

The newly reopened & renovated Masjid Darul Ghufran mosque in Tampines now has space for 5,500 worshippers to pray at one time making it the second largest mosque (after Assyakirin Mosque) in Singapore. 

Located beside Our Tampines Hub, Masjid Darul Ghufran was first completed in December 1990. 

Apart from structured, formal programmes, Darul Ghufran Mosque provides specialised religion courses to cater to a variety of needs and segments of society.

503 Tampines Avenue 5

Tel: +65 6786 5545 Email: helpdesk@ghufran.mosque.org.sg

Dhammakaya Centre Singapore (DCS) is a non-profit Buddhist meditation centre set up in September 1999. They recently held the grand opening of their new centre located at Sumang Walk.

The articulated design of Dhammakaya Centre Singapore Building is an expression of simplicity and tranquillity. Its interior spatial configurations at every storey within the building exemplifies the dedicated needs of the temple.

The magnificent Dhammachai Meditation Hall on the 2nd storey is crafted out of a column-free space that can accommodate more meditators, which is a manifestation of harmonised architecture and structural designs.

6 Sumang Walk

Tel: +65 6926 2072

Located along Tampines Road, north of Paya Lebar Air Base, Goldhill Memorial Centre will be a fully automated columbarium and it will also use innovative technology to optimise its space. It is expected to open around the end of 2019. 

Constant evolution and breakthroughs are the essence of success and prosperity. Singapore’s economic history have testified to this statement, continually innovating quickly. Interestingly, the columbarium industry has a different pace of progress despite the growing demand from the society. Singapore land scarcity and generations’ unmet expectations of memorial services drive Goldhill memorial to pioneer a new age of columbarium service. 

Goldhill Memorial Centre is presenting a leap of the industry’s evolution in Singapore.

Tampines Road

Tel: +65 6266 4320 Email: services@goldhillmc.com

One of the few landmarks on Waterloo Street, the 148-year old Sri Krishnan Temple reopens after four years of restoration works costing nearly $4 million.

The shrines, ceilings, temple dome and pillars were all upgraded in the renovation. Intricate decorative works on the pillars required two sculptors working on them on-site over 3 years.

One of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, Sri Krishnan Temple's recent consecration ceremony called Maha Samprokshanam (done every 12 to 15 years) was attended by some 10,000 devotees.

152 Waterloo Street

Tel: +65 6337 7957 Email: srikrishnatemple@hotmail.com

(Photo Credit: Joseph Nair & SgHindu)

Originally established in 2006, Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnana Muneeswarar Temple (AVGMT) in Sengkang town has reopened after a year-long renovation costing over $4 million. 

The renovated temple has a new facade, a multi-purpose hall and other upgraded facilities. 

AVGMT is an amalgamation of three Hindu temples - the Arulmigu Velmurugan Temple, the Sri Krishna Bhagwan Durga Parameswari Devasthanam and the Sri Mariamman Muneeswarar Temple. 

Read more about the temple here.

50 Rivervale Crescent, Sengkang

The Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, a 164-year-old national monument and one of the oldest temples in Singapore, was recently re-sanctified in a consecration ceremony called the “Maha Samprokshanam” which is done once every 12 years. 

Major redevelopment works at the temple, costing S$4.5 million, were recently completed.

In 1978, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple was declared a National Monument by the Preservation of Monuments Board. The temple also underwent major facelifts in year 1987, 1992 and 2005.

The history of Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple dates back to the late 1800s. Read more about its rich history here. 

397 Serangoon Road

Tel: +65 6298 5771 Email: sspt@heb.org.sg

265 Serangoon Road

Tel: +65 6295 1478 Email: info@angulliamosque.com.sg 

The new building of Karma Kagyud Buddhist Centre located on Guillemard Road is now officially open; the new edifice infuses traditional Tibetan style with modernity – her distinct and brightly coloured façade stands out from the surrounding buildings.

They are planning to make good use of the building to benefit everyone and for people to learn the spiritual path. Various programmes and courses will be provided and they will also be involved in social services wherever needed, just as they have done actively for over thirty years.

This new building shall be a beacon to flourish the Buddhadharma both in Singapore and the region. 

No. 38, Lorong 22 Geylang                                                                                      

Tel: +65 6749 1103 Email: adminweb@karma-kagyud.org.sg

After being closed for nearly three years, Novena Church which is also known as Church of St Alphonsus, one of Singapore's most popular Catholic churches, will finally reopen soon. 

The revamp of the 67-year-old church costs $54 million and the first mass will be held on 29 September. Seating capacity has now almost doubled, from 800 to 1,500. 

The church will be home to 18 impressive stained-glass windows. Additions also include a 200-seat auditorium, a multi-purpose hall and also an underground carpark too.

300 Thomson Road 

Tel: +65 6255 2133 Email: secretariatcssr@novenachurch.com