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Research Findings By Fuhua Secondary School
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| Subject: |
Ang Chee Sia Ong Temple
Qing Long Ye Miao (a.k.a Green Dragon Temple)
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| Address: |
131, West Coast Drive
Singapore (128014)
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| Division: |
Ayer Rajah-West Coast
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| Description: |
The History:
It traces back to early ancestors in Canton Province Teochew District, Han Jiang China.When they came to Singapore, they brought the incense of the temple together with them.
The temple started at Pasir Panjang 7 milestones (Yang Tao Yuan – Pasir Panjang district). In the 80s when the place was not yet developed, the area was a kampong with some wooden houses and small provision shops. The villagers were mainly fishermen. A few were businessmen and labourers.
The villagers were a devoted lot who gave their offerings regularly and celebrated Qing Long Ye’s birthday every year.
Significance of the Name:
Ang Chee Sia Ong (An Qi Sheng Wang) was a legendary man who was believed to have fought against the Cao army during the era of the 3 Kingdoms. He was a man of justice who was loyal to his country and fair to those under him. As a result, generations after him conferred him the title of Ang Chee Sia Ong in dialect.
Significance of the Location:
Water has been a crucial element in the location of the temple.
"The Dragon temple was to bless the fishermen at Tuas and Pasir Panjang out at sea. Therefore it needed to be next to a water source. Coincidentally, this current location is also next to a water source which is a canal." - Vice-chairman and chairman
Significance of Temple Architecture:
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The Presence of Dragons
There are more than 100 dragons in the temple. They can be found guarding the main gate, soaring around the roof, along the bridge in the temple and around the pillars. The presence of dragons is linked to the belief that the Green Dragon was the transformation of Ang Chee Sia Ong.
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The Carp and the Dragon Gate
There are two carps that can be found on the temple’s gates. Above the carps are 2 creatures with the head of a carp and the body of a dragon.
There is a beautiful story to it:
Legend says that there is a mountain called the Dragon Gate Mountain in China. It was said that every year, carps would gather at the foot of the mountain to compete among themselves as to who would jump the highest. Those who made it and jumped across would become dragons. Only 72 carps made it annually. Once they made it to the dragon gate, the carp’s tail would be burnt by fire that originated from the sky. It would thus leave no trace of the fact that the dragon was once a carp.
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The Bridge (Dragon Luck Bridge)
The bridge holds 2 water spewing dragons. The dragons will spew water when someone steps on the bridge. The word“dragon” represents the green dragon of the temple while the “luck” represents good luck to the person who crosses it.
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| Subject: |
Bukit Batok Memorial
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| Address: |
Bukit Batok Nature Park
(Bukit Batok East Ave 2)
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| Division: |
Bukit Batok East
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| Description: |
The commemorative board found on steps of the current Bukit Batok Nature Park.
Two monuments which include the Japanese Chureito, once stood on top of this hill in memory of Allied and Japanese forces who were killed in the battle for Singapore. |
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| Subject: |
Church of St. Mary of The Angels
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| Date Established: |
1950s
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| Address: |
5 Bukit Batok East Ave 2
Singapore (659918)
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| Division: |
Bukit Batok East
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| Description: |
The History:
Its current site was originally a 4-acre rubber estate which was bought in 1957.
It started as a small chapel and friary in the 1950s when some Franciscan friars arrived to spread the Gospel.
It initially started as a sociological centre to combat the communist threat influence in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The Development:
It was renovated in 1985 and it could cater to approximately 400 families. It was rebuilt in 1998 when the number of parishioners tripled.
All the bronze statues in the church were sculpted by Teguh Ostenrik, an Indonesian Muslim artist whose work was influenced by contemporary Germany designs.
The Garden of World Peace
In the Garden of World Peace, the word "peace" is written in different languages on glass panels.At the end of the Garden of World Peace is the shrine of Mary, accompanied by seven angels.
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| Subject: |
Interviews / Video Files |
| Description: |
Many Believe, Living As One:
Description: A short documentary of the various religious places in the South West district which include interviews with various people from the various places of worship.
Video File: ManyBelieveLivingAsOne.mp4 (44.2MB)
Syonan Years:
Video File: SyonanYears.mp4 (41.6MB)
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| Subject: |
Jurong Christian Church and Civic Centre
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| Date Established: |
1967
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| Address: |
Tah Ching Road
Singapore (618744)
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| Division: |
Taman Jurong
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| Description: |
The successful bidding of land at Tah Ching Road, where the church is still standing, was announced in February 1966.
There was once a partnership of various denominations in the building of this church. But as time past and many had pulled out, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) was the only one offering their full support in this project.
The Jurong Christian Church & Civic Centre was born with dual focus of evangelism and community (civic) work. It was the only church in Jurong in 1967.
There was no major change or renovation done to the church once it was built.
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| Subject: |
Kranji Beach Battle
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| Address: |
Kranji Reservoir Park
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| Division: |
Yew Tee
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| Description: |
"On this shoreline between the Kranji River and the Causeway, troops of the 27th Australian Brigade and Singapore volunteers of Lieutenant-Colonel Dalley’s DALFORCE scored a victory against the invading Japanese forces.
On the Morning of 10th February 1942, troops from the 4th Regiment of the Japanese Imperial Guards landed when the tide was low. They were stuck in the mud and were caught in oil slicks created by Allied troops releasing oil from the nearby Woodlands depot. The first waves of Japanese troops were burnt when Allied troops set fire to the oil.
However, for fear of being cut off by the Japanese landing from the west of Serimbun and Jurong, the Australian troops and DALFORCE volunteers were ordered to withfraw south, thus allowing the Japanese to land and consolidate their invasion of Singapore."
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| Subject: |
Kranji Jurong Defence Line
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| Address: |
Jurong West St. 42
(Neighbourhood Park surrounded by Blocks 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 554, 556 and 558)
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| Division: |
Jurong Central
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| Description: |
A memorial stone tablet with the following words which describes the battle inscribed on it:
"The narrow ridge connecting the sources of the Jurong and the Kranji River was a natural defence line protecting the North West approach to the city. The Allied troops were to defend this line strongly against invading Japanese.
However, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival’s secret orders to withdraw to the last defence line around the city, only if necessary, were misunderstood by the defending Allied troops. As a result, the 14th Indian Infantry Brigade, the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade and the 22nd Australian Brigade, reinforced after their withdrawal from Sarimbun Beach in the north-west, abandoned the Jurong Kranji Line on 10th February 1942. This allowed the Japanese forces to sweep through the line to attack Bukit Timah."
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| Subject: |
Many Believe, Living As One |
| Description: |
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| Subject: |
Masjid Ahmad
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| Date Established: |
1934
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| Address: |
2 Lorong Sarhad
Singapore (119173)
(Off South Buona Vista Road)
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| Division: |
Telok Blangah
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| Description: |
Ahmad Mosque, also known as Masjid Batu Enam among Pasir Panjang residents, was officially opened on 1st December 1967.
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| Subject: |
Masjid Al-Firdaus
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| Date Established: |
1962
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| Address: |
11 Jalan Ibadat
Singapore (698955)
(Off Choa Chu Kang Road)
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| Division: |
Yew Tee
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| Description: |
An old generation mosque built in 1962. It served the Malay Muslim cadets from the nearby Tengah Air Base and residents of Kampong Ara, Beseri and Lamsan.
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| Subject: |
Masjid Hussein Sulaiman
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| Date Established: |
1902
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| Address: |
394 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore (118730)
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| Division: |
Telok Blangah
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| Subject: |
Masjid Tentera Di-Raja
Royal Military Mosque
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| Date Established: |
1961
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| Address: |
81 Clementi Road
Singapore (129797)
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| Division: |
Ayer Rajah-West Coast
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| Description: |
Built in 1961 by Muslim members of the British army, it was officially opened on 30th March 1962 by Yang Di-pertuan Negara, Mr Yusof Ishak. Its majestic position at a hill's summit is further distinguished by its minaret, topped by a gold-painted dome, which encapsulates its rich history.
The Mosque was firstbuilt with only $100,000 from Muslim soldiers and there is always a mis-conception that the mosque belongs to Malaysia.
There is no link between the mosque and the royalties in Malaysia as thought so by many people.
When Singapore was under Malaysian rule, the Royal Malay regiment of Malaysia took over the mosque and the surrounding land as their headquarter. The land was previously used by the British as headquarters for Pasir Panjang.The headquarter was located there as there is a seaview to watch over the southern coast of Singapore.
The headquarter was later demolished to make way for the National University of Singapore.There was an intention to demolish the mosque as it did not blend in with the surroundings and the rapid development of the area which included private housings and university.
Steps have then taken by the mosque to prevent the demolish. Activities with community centres, citizen consultative committees, grassroots leaders, and students from the National University of Singapore are often held to enable the mosque to stay relevant.
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| Subject: |
Pasir Panjang Christ Church
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| Date Established: |
1937
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| Address: |
302 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore (118643)
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| Division: |
Telok Blangah
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| Description: |
Pasir Panjang Christ Church (PPCC) was founded in 1937 by the late Pastor Phoa Hock Seng. He started the church in his own home at 368 Pasir Panjang Road with seven other people. Together with his beloved wife, Helen Phoa, he laboured and built the church over the next 40 years. Pastor Phua used to go along the stretch of road to reach out to the people around.
It is the first church that started along the Pasir Panjang Road, an area where there were many Malay villages. The old church building had previously stood a good one kilometre down the road from its current location. The church was there in 1937 but shifted to the new location in 1973.
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| Subject: |
Sheng Hong Temple
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| Date Established: |
1926
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| Address: |
300 Pandan Gardens
Singapore (609341)
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| Division: |
Ayer Rajah-West Coast
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| Description: |
The History:
Sheng Hong temple was established in 1926. It originated from China, Anxi Province, Qing Shui Shi.
At that time Hua Nan, China, was a place of unrest and many people came to Singapore, with Anxi people making up a large number.
They brought the incense to Singapore and Sheng Hong was originally situated at Aramugan Road.
The Special Characteristics of the Temple:
Sheng Hong Temple is a combination of Buddhism and Taoism.The temple celebrates the festivals and observes the cultural practices and traditions of both Taoism and Buddhism.
On the first floor of Wan Shou Si (Longevity temple) which is found in Sheng Hong temple, is “Guan Yin”- Goddess of Mercy, while the second floor is “Si Jia Mo Ni”. When believers kneel to pray to Guan Yin, water will flow out from the vase held by the Guan Yin statue. Both Guan Yin and Si Jia Mo Ni belong to Buddhism.
While Taoist followers make their offerings to Cheng Huang Bo.
There is also a wall that has been painted showing the 18 levels of Hell. It shows the different punishments meted out on evil-doers.
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| Subject: |
Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple
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| Date Established: |
1913
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| Address: |
100 Depot Road
Singapore (109670)
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| Division: |
Telok Blangah
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| Description: |
Established in 1913 by Letchumanan Nadar, an employee of Alexandra Brickworks, it was originally located within the premises of the Brickworks at 20 Pasir Panjang Road.
In its early years, it was merely a small shrine housed in a simple wooden structure till a brick building with a tiled roof was constructed in 1923.
The temple shifted to a temporary location after 1971 when Alexandra Brickworks sold its premises to the Port of Singapore Authority. In 1983 after an elaborate consecration ceremony it came to be located at its present site on Depot Road.
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| Subject: |
Syonan Years |
| Description: |
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| Subject: |
Tong Whye Temple
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| Date Established: |
1925
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| Address: |
212 Jurong East St.
Singapore (609474)
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| Division: |
Jurong Central
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| Description: |
The History:
Tong Whye temple has a 72-year history. Then it was only a small village temple. It was first located at Bukit Timah, Adam Road1925. Later, it was relocated at Old Jurong Road in 1933. Then it was again relocated to be situated at the current location Jurong West Street 32 in the 60’s.
In the past the roof was attap, and the deities were from Fujian Chuan Zhou, China. The people brought the deities here to keep themselves safe. The earliest deity was "Guan Di Gong".
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