CHRIST CHURCH

With its red bricks, large white cross at the top and multitude of multicolored trishaws waiting for the tourist right in front, you can't miss this pretty Dutch-inspired church. The foundation stone was laid in 1741 to commemorate the centenary of the capture of Malacca by the Dutch and to replace the aging St. Paul's Church. Construction took 12 years and the church was consecrated in 1753, making it the first Reformed church in the city. In 1838, the church was rededicated according to the rites of the Anglican Church and renamed Christ Church. It is the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia, and Sunday services are still held here in three languages. Mass in English takes place at 8.30am, in Mandarin at 10.30am and a final mass in Malay at 4.30pm. Visits to the church are forbidden during services.

Access to the church is via the side and adjoining store. The bare interior can seem a little austere. The central aisle is lined with ancient tombstones, recounting a part of Malacca's history. Some tombs bear inscriptions in Armenian, Portuguese, English and Dutch. Modern stained glass adorns the windows. Note the lovely solid-wood benches with wicker seats.

The church bell predates construction and must have been salvaged from another building, as no one knows where it came from. But it is dated 1698. The treasure cannot be visited.