April 8, 2025, will long be remembered as a day of sacred significance and joyful celebration for the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, as it marked the official dedication of Wisma Anglican, the Diocese’s new headquarters located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This historic event brought together bishops, clergy, lay leaders, and congregants to dedicate the building to the glory of God and the service of His people.
The ceremony was more than a formal event; it was the culmination of 220 years of Anglican presence in Malaysia and the 55th anniversary of the Diocese. Rooted in history, enriched by faith, and forward-looking in vision, the dedication of Wisma Anglican stood as a symbol of God’s enduring presence and providence.
Blessing the Floors of Wisma Anglican: A Procession of Prayer and Purpose
The day began with a solemn blessing of the floors, led by The Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Steven Abbarow, Bishop of West Malaysia, and joined by a distinguished assembly of bishops including The Most Rev. Dr. Titus Chung, The Rt. Rev. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Lim Cheng Ean, The Rt. Rev. Datuk Danald Jute, The Rt. Rev. Datuk Melter Tais, and The Rt. Rev. Datuk Ng Moon Hing, among others.
From the lobby to the rooftop, each floor of Wisma Anglican was blessed with Scripture, intercessory prayer, and the sprinkling of holy water. Every space — from administrative offices and meeting rooms to the Christ the King Chapel, Library, Archives, and the 6th-floor auditorium — was consecrated as a place for ministry, reflection, and community.
The blessing of the ground floor lobby by Archdeacon Vijendra set a tone of hospitality and unity, echoing the spirit of Acts 2:46 — “breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.” Archbishop Titus Chung prayed for unity and the strengthening of bonds of fellowship, invoking Christ, the Good Shepherd, and particularly the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, as the model of episcopal ministry.
The basement, housing essential infrastructure, was entrusted to God’s protection, led by Rev Canon Jacob and Bishop Charles. The Meeting Rooms on the Mezzanine (led by Archdeacon Edward and Bishop Danald), Diocesan Administration on the first floor (Archdeacon Stephen and Bishop Cheng Ean), Ministry Workspace on the second floor (Archdeacon John and Bishop Moon Hing), and the Bishop’s Office on the third floor (Archdeacon Vijendra and Archbishop Titus) were all anointed with prayers for wisdom and shepherding grace.
Sacred Spaces for Holy Work
The fourth floor, home to the Christ the King Chapel, Library, and Archives, received particular attention. Dean Andrew Cheah prayed for the archives to serve as a sanctuary of memory, truth, and justice. Bishop Stephen Soe prayed that the library would become a haven of knowledge and wisdom, accessible to all who seek understanding. The chapel was dedicated as a sacred space for prayer, healing, and sacramental life — a sanctuary where worshippers may encounter the presence of the living God.
The 5th-floor accommodation area was dedicated by Bishop Steven Abbarow as a place of peace, rest, and renewal — “a place of laughter and fellowship, of caring and sharing.” On the rooftop, Bishop Melter Tais offered a poetic blessing under open skies, praying that the rooftop would be a place of reflection, wonder, and peace — where the heavens declare the glory of God.
The blessing concluded in the auditorium on the 6th floor, where Archbishop Titus Chung and Bishops Steven Abarrow, Danald Jute, and Melter Tais prayed for the space to be a beacon of inspiration and transformation. “May it be a place where voices will be lifted in worship, where minds will be enriched, and where lives will be touched by your presence,” they declared, as holy water was sprinkled throughout the hall.
A House Set Apart for God
The celebration reached a spiritual high point with the Thanksgiving and Dedication Service, opened by the hymn Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him, congregational opening prayers, and a Scripture reading from 1 Kings 8:22–30, read in the various languages of Malaysia by Rev Eisu Das (in Tamil), Rev Jack Mongudal Owal (in BM), Archdeacon Stephen Chan (Chinese), and Archdeacon Vijendra Daniel (English). The passage echoed Solomon’s dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, petitioning God to hear the prayers of His people and to let His presence dwell within His house.
The Nicene Creed was read by the entire congregation as a formal statement of our faith in Christ and the foundational beliefs as the cornerstone of our Christian identity. A litany of thanksgiving and a confession followed.
The Litany of Thanksgiving, led again by Dean Andrew Cheah, gave voice to a grateful Church. The people responded together in unison, thanking God for His presence, guidance, and provision; for the saints who had gone before; and for the mercy, grace, and blessings shown to the Diocese over the years.
With this sacred backdrop, Bishop Steven Abbarow delivered the official declaration of dedication, solemnly setting apart Wisma Anglican from all common and profane uses. “In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, Amen,” he declared, dedicating the building to a wide range of ministries, including:
- The proclamation of the Word and celebration of sacraments
- Worship, healing, deliverance, and prayer
- Administration and financial stewardship
- Discipleship, mission, evangelism, and theological training, social justice and leadership development
- Centre for communication and digital transformation
- Regional and global networking for Gospel partnership
- Conference hosting and hospitality
The declaration reflected a robust, multi-faceted vision for how Wisma Anglican will serve as the nerve centre for ministry and mission across the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia and beyond.
Outpouring of Praise Culminating in Prayer of Dedication
This outpouring of praise culminated in the Prayer of Dedication offered by Bishop Ng Moon Hing, who prayed that the new building would be “a beacon of hope and a source of healing for our community.” He continued, “May it be a place where your Word is proclaimed, where hearts find strength, and where justice and compassion are lived out.”
The celebration then transitioned into the Holy Eucharist, drawing together clergy, laity, and visitors in communion around the Lord’s table. The hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness and a collective responsive prayer lifted the hearts of all present. The Eucharistic prayer resounded with awe and gratitude: “Through him, and with him, and in him… we worship you, Father Almighty, in songs of everlasting praise.” In this sacred act, the Church reaffirmed its identity as the Body of Christ, nourished by grace and united in purpose.
A New Chapter Begins
As the congregation exchanged signs of peace, shared in Communion, and later stood for group photographs, the atmosphere was one of holy joy and renewed vision. Wisma Anglican stands solidly not only as a structure of stone and steel, but a consecrated space for God’s Kingdom — set apart for generations to come to pray, learn, serve, and lead.
Bishop Steven Abbarow closed the service with a blessing: “Christ crucified drew you to Himself, to find in Him a sure ground of faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven.” The service closed with the affirmatory hymn The Church’s One Foundation. The words of this final hymn resounded as the people recessed: The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.
Wisma Anglican now stands as a beacon of light and purpose — a living testimony to God’s faithfulness, a centre of hope for His people, and a platform for ministry that spans cultures, languages, and generations. To God be the glory — great things He has done, and greater things are yet to come.
Christianity Malaysia would like to thank the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia for their hospitality throughout the coverage of the event. All photos were kindly contributed by Nicholas Khoong and Elder Steven Fung. More photos can be found on the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia’s Facebook page.
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