Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration (COTT) is the latest Catholic Church to be built in Singapore and is led by Rev Fr Joachim Chang as parish priest. Situated in the Punggol district, the new church will serve an estimated 15,000 Catholics and is expected to be one of the largest parishes in Singapore. The Transfiguration commemorates one of Jesus’ miracles when he reveals His divinity to three of His closest disciples; Peter, James and John, by means of a miraculous and supernatural light. The disciples hear the voice of God, confirming Jesus as his son and telling all to listen to him (Mark 9:7). The Transfiguration does not transform Jesus but rather reveals him as the Son of God and the prophesied Messiah. Hence, the church is named after this miraculous event to remind all to listen to Jesus in everything we do. COTT has two direct connections to the actual episode of the Transfiguration. The first in the Church is the sacred relic of St Peter who was one of the three disciples who witnessed the Transfiguration scene and the second, Father Joachim acquired 4 stones from the original Church of the Transfiguration that was built on Mount Tabor. One of these stones is embedded in the basement of COTT exactly below the altar of the church. March 2013 The Archdiocese of Singapore successfully tenders for a 2,999 Sq.m parcel of land in Punggol new town to build a new church. The tender price is $22 million for a term of 30 years. That same month, Emeritus Archbishop Nicholas Chia, the preceding Archbishop, approaches Father Joachim Chang to begin the task of building a new church in Punggol. Father Joachim immediately sets out to form a Church Building Committee. July 2013 The Senate of Priests votes in favour of the name ‘The Church of the Transfiguration’. 5 June 2013 The Building Committee presents to His Grace, Archbishop William Goh and the Archdiocesan Finance Committee, recommending to appoint RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd for the project. This is approved and the planning work moved quickly. The church is estimated to cost $60 million including land rental cost. May 2014 Monthly Holy Hour sessions are held at Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace to pray for the new church. 6 August 2014 The ground-breaking ceremony was conducted by His Grace Archbishop William Goh on 6th August 2014, attended by priests and well-wishers. Construction work commenced on
13 February 2015. March 2015 A Steering Committee is formed to coordinate administrative, financial, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and coordination, communications and pastoral formation activities. 6 August 2015 The Chancery announces the appointment of Father Joachim as Parish Priest of COTT, the feast day of the Transfiguration. September 2015 Fundraising activities like Walkathon, Gala Dinner, Golf Tournament, Movie Night etc., as well as weekly parish visits are organised to create awareness and raise funds for COTT. 20 March 2016 COTT started its first monthly off-site mass on Palm Sunday. The Church is expected to be ready by the 1st quarter of 2017 when the first official mass will be celebrated on Holy Thursday, 13 April 2017, followed by the Triduum leading up to Easter Sunday. More Links: https://www.facebook.com/cottsg https://www.youtube.com/churchofthetransfigurationsg

51 Punggol Central, Singapore - 828725