Rededication of the Church of the Assumption The design philosophy
It was with profound gratitude that on December 16, 2023, Most Reverend Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, and 18 priests, led the parishioners of the Church of the Assumption Petaling Jaya, in the ancient and sacred rite of rededicating the church.
Jan 05, 2024

It was with profound gratitude that on December 16, 2023, Most Reverend Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, and 18 priests, led the parishioners of the Church of the Assumption Petaling Jaya, in the ancient and sacred rite of rededicating the church.
The church building had closed for renovations and repairs on May 21, 2023, and was reopened after more than six months, on schedule and in time for Christmas. The project to revitalise the church began in 2016 under the guidance of Fr Mitchel Anthony, the then parish priest, to expand and renovate the main prayer hall and administrative block. Despite delays due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the committee meticulously designed the project, emphasising the preservation of the church’s original architectural heritage.
The Stations of the Cross
One crucial aspect of the renovation was the preservation and enhancement of the iconic Stations of the Cross, a stunning collection of art deco mosaic reliefs, and possibly the largest inside a Malaysian church, illuminated with precise lighting to amplify their brilliance.
The redesign incorporated symbolic elements, notably the prominent Christ Pantocrator in the central oculus of the church’s ceiling. This symbolically places Jesus at the centre of our focus and spiritual life. Christ Pantocrator, meaning “Christ the Almighty” or “Christ the Ruler of All”, is an iconic representation of Jesus as the divine and sovereign Lord of the universe. The depiction shows Our Lord in a frontal view, as Creator, Saviour, and Judge, holding the Book of the Gospels in one hand and making a gesture of blessing upon the observers with the other.
Stained Glass
Stained glass windows were also installed above the Stations of the Cross. The selection of images for the rosette windows was a thoughtful and meaningful process. The four corners of the rosette windows depict the symbols of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the authors of the Gospels, upon which our Church is anchored. The remainder of the images are from the life of Christ, with the choice of visual narratives that reflect the shared experiences and faith journey of our congregation, fostering a deeper connection to our spiritual heritage.
Choice of Sanctuary Marble
The choice of marble from the Antalya province for our Church sanctuary floor holds a special significance due to the proximity of its quarry to the ancient regions of Lycia and Pamphylia. You may recall these regions from the Acts of the Apostles, which recorded among others, the travels of the Apostle Paul on in his missionary journeys.
The choice of Volakas marble for the altar, tabernacle table, ambo, and baptismal font, especially due to its quarry’s proximity to Thessalonica, one of the early centres of Christianity and the site of one of the Apostle Paul’s missions, holds both practical and symbolic significance. Incorporating Volakas marble carries a deeper symbolism related to the heritage and religious history of the region of its origins, and added historical and spiritual depth to the Church’s design.
The altar stand bears the image of the Lamb of God, and the beginning of John 1:29 in Latin: Ecce Agnvs Dei — Behold, the Lamb of God. The riser of the mensa (altar table) proclaims the Holiness of the Lamb of God, who is sacrificed to take away the sins of the world.
The Reredos
The selection of the Glorious Mysteries for the reredos of the Church was an obvious choice. Our Church after all, shares the title of the Fourth Glorious Mystery, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. The decision to create the reredos were Fr Leonard Lexson’s and Fr Biju Mathew’s inspired choice. To recreate the images of the Glorious Mysteries life sized, to match that of the statue of Our Lord on the Crucifix, could only have been a revelation by the Holy Ghost. They were brought to life by our Benjamin (Ben) Ignatius. Ben, who is from the parish, is a very gifted artist and leaves us with a wonderful legacy.
The Cross – LAUDATO SI, mi Signore
To accommodate the reredos on the sanctuary wall, the crucifix had to be downsized. The priests and project committee were conscious that our crucifix was on an artificially large, boxed-up plywood and vinyl cross, which had to be replaced. In response to His Holiness Pope Francis’ call for environmental stewardship in his Encyclical Laudato Si, we embarked on an initiative by utilising salvaged old chengal columns for the creation of a new crucifix.
Let the love we find within these sacred walls shine brightly beyond them
The rededication was marked by messages. Fr Leonard Lexson, in his message for the Rededication said, “A new chapter begins with sacred space and the uplifting of souls in sacred time. It is good to give thanks to the Lord for His mercy endures forever and let us delight in the Lord’s presence praising God from age to age.” Fr Biju Mathew shared this message and hopes, “As I contemplate with admiration this sacred space of marvellous beauty, of so much faith-filled history, I ask God that the Assumption Catholic community continue to rise up and flourish, and present to the world the great service that the Church can and must offer to humanity: to be an icon of divine beauty, a burning flame of charity, a path so that the world may believe in the One whom God has sent.”
May God’s blessings continue to abound in our newly consecrated church, in our parish, and in the world. — By Alan Adrian Gomez, Chairperson Parish Pastoral Council, Assumption Project Committee
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