Macau Protestant Chapel
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Macau Protestant Chapel, commonly known as Morrison Chapel (Portuguese: Capela Protestante; traditional Chinese: 馬禮遜教堂; simplified Chinese: 马礼逊教堂; pinyin: mǎ lǐ xùn jiào táng) is a small Anglican chapel situated off Camões Square, near Camões Park, in the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Macau. It was originally built in the early 19th century to serve the requirements of employees of the British East India Company, but now serves worshippers of a variety of denominational backgrounds in the diocese of Macau. The present structure was built in 1922.
[edit] History
Traders of the East India Company were engaged in trade with China from the late eighteenth century until 1834. Their charter included stipulations that employees regularly attend divine services, and that chaplains be sent out from England to minister the spiritual needs of employees.
Before 1821, when the land for a chapel and burial ground (now the Old Protestant Cemetery) was purchased, the chapel was probably simply a room at the offices of the British East India Company. The purchase of the burial ground was prompted by the death of Mary Morrison, wife of Robert Morrison, missionary and translator employed by the East India Company. Prior to this, the Portugal authorities had only allowed Roman Catholic burials in the colony.
Nothing is known about the construction of the first chapel at the site. The first recorded ceremony at the chapel was a marriage in 1833.
In 1834, when the East India Company lost its trade monopoly, responsibility for the Chapel and cemetery was taken by the British government. In 1870 this responsibility was transferred by Deed of Transfer to Trustees consisting of three high ranking representatives of at least two nations having Protestant members living in Macau.
In 1921, the Chapel required complete rebuilding, except for the original foundation. Two conditions were placed on these works; it had to be hidden from the street behind a high wall, and it could have no church bell. The chapel has remained structurally unaltered since the completion of these works in 1922.
During World War II, Macau's neutrality caused a flood of refugees from Hong Kong, many of whom were Protestant. The resulting pressure on the diocese led to the ordination of Deaconess Florence Li Tim Oi from Hong Kong, making her the first woman priest of the Anglican Communion. The Chapel's Chinese name, 马礼逊教堂 (Mother Li's Chapel), reflects Li Tim-Oi's importance during this period.
[edit] References
- Loftand, B. J. "The Morrison Chapel", chapel guide, read in 2008
[edit] See also
- St Michael Macau - Chapel and Cemetery - Catholic
- Religion in Macau
