Minor Basilica of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam
St. Anne's Sanctuary consists of the Old Church (Shrine of St. Anne), the Stations of the Cross, the residential area and the new church (Church of St. Anne).
The origins of this sanctuary traces back to 1833 where Chinese and Indian migrant workers hailed from Batu Kawan, Penang who then settled at the foothills of Bukit Mertajam. Thereafter, French missionaries came to minister to the families here. As the Catholic believers increased, the first chapel was built on top of St. Anne's hill by Father Adolphe Couellan in 1846.
The Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments through Degree Protocol Number 42/19 dated 5 September 2019 has established the Church of St. Anne as a Minor Basilica. This elevation intensifies the bond with the Church of Rome and to hold up this basilica as a pilgrimage shrine in the Diocese of Penang.
The Old Church or the Shrine of St. Anne was built by Father Sorin in 1888
The grave of Father Sorin in the middle of the main aisle from the main entrance. He passed away on the feast of St. Anne in 1907.
The feast of St. Anne is held on 26 July annually. Local and foreign pilgrims from all walks of life come to Bukit Mertajam to celebrate this prayer ritual for 10 days, which would include a candlelight procession and 9 days of Novena.
Let's go up St. Anne's hill
Stations of the Cross
On top of St. Anne's hill
Statue of St. Anne on top of St. Anne's hill
St. Anne is regarded as the mother of Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ. St. Anne is believed to have been born around 50BC in either Nazareth or Bethleham. St. Anne is the patron of childless couples, homemakers and grandparents. She is invoked for safe and healthy childbirth.
The foundation and cornerstones of the First Chapel on St. Anne's hill.
St. Anne's Dormitory
St. Anne's Grotto
side view of The Old Church
Natural spring water filtered by the soil
The new church
Residential area
St. Anne Square
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