The Singapore Armenian Heritage Centre is the first integrated Armenian cultural and heritage centre in Asia, comprising the Armenian Heritage Gallery, the Singapore Armenian Community Centre, the Armenian Church Memorial Gardens and the Stations of the Cross.
Situated adjacent to the Armenian Church on Hill Street in Singapore, the mission of the Singapore Armenian Heritage Centre is to enhance the level of community outreach and engagement by providing a comprehensive, interactive learning experience that explores the journey and achievements of the Armenian Communities in Singapore and Asia from the early days of settlement through to the present day.
The Singapore Armenian Heritage Centre comprises multiple elements including a museum, library, gallery, a community/reception hall and a gift shop. As part of the Singapore Government’s Heritage Trail, the Singapore Armenian Heritage Centre is an important destination on the cultural route for Armenians and visitors alike in Singapore.
Opened in May 2018 with support from the Singapore National Heritage Board, the Armenian Heritage Gallery is located in the newly renovated Parsonage building (built 1905) and features rare artifacts, books, photos and other historical and contemporary items collected from the various community archives in Singapore, Asia, Armenia and worldwide. The Gallery also periodically displays traveling exhibits of significance to the Armenian community.
The Armenian Heritage Gallery is a collaboration between the Singapore Armenian Community and Armenian communities worldwide, and enjoys support under the National Heritage Board's Heritage Project Grant. It is the first Armenian museum of its kind established in Asia.
The Gallery is currently open by appointment only until construction of the adjacent new Community Reception Hall is complete. For more information and to request a private tour, please contact: gallery@armeniansinasia.org
Nestled on the tranquil grounds of the Singapore Armenian Church, the Memorial Garden is a collection of unique tombstones marking the life of Armenians who made a significant contribution to Singapore. Early Armenian settlers were buried in the old Fort Canning cemetery and later in the Bukit Timah and Bidadari cemeteries. When these areas were rezoned to become parkland in the early 1970s, Mr. Levon Palian, an American-Armenian then resident in Singapore, rescued and transported twenty-four Armenian tombstones to the grounds of the Armenian Church. In 1988, the tombstones were assembled to form the Memorial Garden by Mr. Art Ramian, who also donated to the cost of the project.
Visitors can view the tombstones (not actual graves) of Agnes Joaquim, who hybridised Singapore’s national flower the Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim orchid, Catchick Moses, founder of Singapore’s national newspaper The Straits Times, and other renowned Singapore Armenians including family members of the Sarkies Brothers who established the exquisite Raffles Hotel.
The Memorial Garden also includes a traditional Armenian Khachkar (cross-stone) erected in 2015 in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Set within the peaceful oasis of The Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Singapore, this collection of bronze sculptures by artist Teguh Ostenrik serves as symbols of the perpetual relationship between nature and god, offering us a glimpse of the endless respect and grace we all seek in life as dutiful servants on the journey to find divine love and peace.
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1950, Ostenrik is a respected sculptor and painter who has dedicated his artistic journey to unifying the themes of human communication through distinctive and creative expressions. As a part of an exploratory pilgrimage inspired through personal duty and passion, he thoroughly explores the relationships between humanity, nature and the cosmos while presenting the world with enriched messages of peace and beauty through art.
The names of Benefactors and Donors are inscribed at the entrance to the Gallery and Library, honouring them in perpetuity for their generosity:
Founding Benefactors
Narek Agadzhanian & Family
Khazhak Markarian & Family
Major Donors
John & Matthew Marcarian, Founders, CST Tax Advisors Singapore, great-grandsons of Arratoon Basil, Member of Singapore Armenian Community (late 1800s)
Donors
Henri & Lara Arslanian
Armand Arton
Krikor & Sandra Basmadjian
Pierre Hennes & Richard Azarnia, in loving memory of Levon & Lucik Der Gregorian
Ara Hampartsoumian & Family
Richard Azarnia, in loving memory of Jeanne & Daniel Thomassian
Werner-Mackertich family in loving memory of Samuel Chirzad Mackertich
The Singapore Armenian Heritage Centre is made possible with support from the following organisations:
