By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Feb 24: The Sarawak government via its Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) has allocate RM7 million from the Chief Minister Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF) for the rebuilding of House of the Epiphany.
Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said the intention to rebuild The House of the Epiphany was conveyed to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg last Christmas when the latter visited the Anglican Bishop of Kuching, Rt. Rev Danald Jute.
“After studying the proposal, our chief minister has graciously given the state’s support to the project and consequently allocated RM7 million to construct the House of the Epiphany’s new building,” Uggah said at the earth-breaking ceremony today.
According to Danald, the existing building is 66 years old and is partially constructed of wood and brickwork, but it is now in a state of disrepair.
“In view of the current state of the building and the requirement of the college for additional space to run its various activities, it was agreed that the best way forward is to construct a new building. This predicament was brought to the attention of Abang Johari and Uggah, who is also the minister-in-charge of Unifor,” Danald said.
The proposed four-storey block will house a chapel, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, a library, a museum, administrative offices, cafeteria and accommodations in the form of dormitories and individual rooms.
The building works, not inclusive of internal furnishing and equipping, is estimated to cost at least RM7 million.
The House of the Epiphany, the Anglican theological college of Sarawak and Negara Brunei Darussalam, was completed and dedicated on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1953. It is located on a hill at McDougall Road here.
The main purpose of the college is to provide internationally recognised training for locals who intend to pursue priestly ministry.
Numerous courses have also been conducted for the training of those who have leadership responsibilities in outstations or are involved in the lay ministry at the parish level.
Refresher courses are also conducted for both the clergy and the laity. The Anglican Church of Sarawak is served and strengthened by the ministries of many who have been trained in the House and who look upon this institution as their spiritual home. — DayakDaily
