The beautifully restored Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore’s oldest Catholic church and a National Monument, re-opened on 20 November 2016 when it held its first mass in over three years. Sitting on a foundation of nothing more than compacted earth, its structure had been quite badly affected by ground disturbance caused by construction work in, around, and under it, which required it to be closed for repair work could be carried out.
As it turned out, the repair effort was quite timely. Columns supporting the pediment at the cathedral’s Victoria Street end gave way as the building was in the late stages of repair on 3 September 2015. Fortunately, the incident – which also saw the pediment come crashing down – happened at night and no one was hurt. The incident also led to the discovery that the supports, on which the weight of the steeple and bell tower also rests, were inadequate and required strengthening and a decision was taken to replace the original brick columns with stronger but lighter steel columns due to weight (which would increase structural load on the base) and time considerations. Another consequence of the collapse would have was in the discovery of the original time-capsule. This was placed beneath the cornerstone when that was laid on 18 June 1843. It was only found due to the work that was needed on the new structure. The time-capsule contained coins, newspapers and a service booklet from the time and its contents are now on display in the Cathedral Heritage Centre.
The entire project, which also involved restoration of the Cathedral and its rectory, as well as the construction of a new three-storey annex block – where the heritage centre is being housed – came at a cost of S$40 million. One of the key areas of repair required was in the underpinning of the cathedral building due to the lack of a suitable foundation. The intervention also allowed service ducts to be run under the building to carry both electrical cables and ducting for air-conditioning – a much welcome addition. The gallery pipe-organ – Singapore’s oldest pipe-organ – was also restored. This required it to be shipped to the Philippines, which has a rich organ building. The restored pipe-organ also made its debut during the reopening mass when it so wonderfully accompanied the cathedral choir.
The Cathedral Choir making its entry before the opening mass on 20 Nov 2016.
Standing room only. The opening drew a large crowd and pews were already filled as early as an hour and a half before mass.
The sanctuary after the reopening, with a new altar.
In 2013 with a large crack clearly visible on the wall behind it.
The gallery pipe-organ in 2016.
The gallery pipe-organ in 2013.
View down the nave, 2016.
View down the nave, 2013.
The repaired and restored Victoria Street end and the steeple.
The view during the restoration, when steel columns were introduced (to be clad with masonry) for reasons of weight and time when the original structure gave way.
With its columns braced in 2010.
A close-up.
Archbishop William Goh after unveiling a new Pietà before the opening mass.
The old Pietà, seen in 2013.
Another view of the new Pietà.
The old Pietà and the staircase to the choir gallery in 2013.
The choir organ in 2013, which was in the north transept and has since been removed.
Where the choir organ was located.
The cathedral in 2016.
The Cathedral in 2013.
The Good Shepherd, 2016.
The Good Shepherd, 2013.
The annex building and the rectory as seen from Queen Street.
The view of the rectory from Queen Street in 2013.
Balustrades, an original feature, were restored to the second level of the rectory turret.
The turret before restoration.
The old annex building, which was demolished.
The old annex building, which was demolished.
The garage, which was also demolished.
The old annex building, which was demolished.
The restoration was originally scheduled for two years,
Before the restoration.
During the restoration.
Exposed brickwork of the columns seen during the restoration.
More views of the beautifully restored cathedral
The Long and Winding Road 
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