By Catholic Sabah/Blessed Sacrament Church Labuan Soccom
LABUAN – In a powerful testament to enduring faith, nearly 2,000 Catholics gathered at the very heart of the island where Christianity first took root in Sabah, witnessing the consecration of the magnificent new building of Blessed Sacrament Church on Apr 29.
The evening Mass, celebrated at 6:00pm, was presided over by Archbishop John Wong of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. He was joined by his vicar, Msgr Nicholas Stephen, several priests from the archdiocese, representatives of religious congregations serving throughout Sabah, and Catholics from all over Sabah.
The newly rebuilt church stands on its original site, the same soil where the first seed of Christianity was planted before spreading to the mainland. The project, costing RM7.4 million, now seats 1,800 worshippers, including upper-floor galleries.
In his homily, Archbishop John Wong reminded the faithful that while the church stands as a beautiful structure, its true beauty lies in the people who gather as one Body in Christ.
A Canvas of Scripture in Stained Glass
Except for the sanctuary wall behind the altar, the church’s left, right, and front walls blaze with stained glass depicting key biblical stories: the Resurrection, the Last Supper, the Breaking of Bread at Emmaus, the Nativity, the Flight to Egypt, and the Feeding of the Five Thousand, among others.
Dominating the front facade is a striking stained-glass image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a powerful devotional anchor for the faithful.
In deliberate theological contrast, the sanctuary wall remains nearly bare. The golden tabernacle sits prominently behind the altar, emphasizing the church’s name: Blessed Sacrament. The presider’s chair, usually placed directly behind the altar, has been moved slightly to the left of the tabernacle.
The high elevation of the sanctuary area draws all eyes to the Eucharistic table – a clear reflection of the Eucharistic theology of the Second Vatican Council. The plain design, adorned only with the cross and the tabernacle, makes a bold statement: The Eucharistic celebration transcends all cultural elements, biblical images, and local customs.
Speaking to Catholic Sabah, Jocelyn Yeo, the Chairlady of the Parish Pastoral Council, said “Our new church stands as a heartfelt response to the hopes and faith of our parish community, a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. At the very beginning of this journey, we listened closely to our parishioners, many of whom longed for a church reminiscent of the great European Gothic style, adorned with stained glass and timeless architectural beauty. While such a vision stirred our imagination, practical limitations in cost and expertise guided us toward a thoughtful compromise. The result is a semi-traditional, modern design that gently echoes the past while embracing the present, including the incorporation of “stained glass” elements that bring color, light, and reverence into our sacred space.
More than simply constructing a building, our intention was to create a spiritual home, one that nurtures prayer, fosters community, and stands as a testament to faith for generations to come.”
New Altar on the Way from China
Commenting on the church’s furnishings, parish priest Fr Thomas Madanan revealed that a custom-made marble altar is being imported from China. It will replace the current wooden altar, which was made for the temporary church.
“The old altar, blessed by Bishop James Baus in 1972, will have its relic removed and placed into the new altar,” Fr. Thomas said. “Archbishop John Wong will consecrate the new altar on the feast of Corpus Christi.”
From a Spanish Mariner to a Modern Marvel
The Prefecture of Labuan and Borneo was established in Rome on September 4, 1855, following lobbying efforts by Mgr Cuarteron. He later arrived in Labuan on Apr 14, 1857, and built a church in Victoria town named “Our Lady of the Assumption.”
In 1890, the current 33-acre mission site was purchased, and a basic presbytery and chapel were soon constructed there. The first substantial church on this site was built by Fr Stotter in 1931 and named “Blessed Sacrament Church.” It was extended in 1963 and redesigned again in 1970 by Fr. Aloysius Tung.
Over the years, the church compound has incorporated additional holy features, including:
• A Spiritual Garden of St. Joseph, featuring an eight-foot imported statue of the saint.
• A replica of the Tomb of Jesus.
• A fact plaque commemorating Don Carlos.
‘Everyone Chipped In Without Complaint’
Fr Thomas, who arrived in Labuan in 2019, said the idea for a new church was first discussed in the parish council shortly after his arrival. Fundraising kicked off immediately.
“Since 2020, holding bazaars and other activities to meet financial obligations became a never-ending story,” he said. “But everyone chipped in without complaint.”
As the sun set over Labuan on Apr 29, the new Blessed Sacrament Church stood consecrated, not merely as a building of marble and glass, but as a living monument to a faith journey that began with one priest on a ship 171 years ago.
