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TMC Penang 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Book

The First Quarter (1894 – 1919) 25 years
The Church is Established in Northam Road in 1894

The Church shifted to Dato Keramat Road in 1896

“In May 1893, a Tamil Methodist Society was organized with a membership of 23, which increased to 52 within
12 months” (A STUDY OF THE INDIAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA by J. Rabindra

Daniel, University of Malaya, PhD Theses, 1989) led by Mr. Simon Peter, a teacher in the Anglo Tamil School and
Mr. P. F. Gnanamuthu. Although the group met without the direction of an ordained minister, they faithfully met
weekly to study the Bible, pray, and sing hymns. And so in 1894, thanks to the concerted and tireless efforts of
messieurs Simon Peter and P.F. Gnanamuthu, the Tamil Methodist Church, Penang (which was situated in Northam

Road) was BORN!

In 1895 Rev. Daniel D. Moore was appointed the Pastor in charge. Rev. Simon Peter was ordained a local
deacon, the first Tamil Deacon in Malaya and Mr P. F. Gnanamuthu was granted a local preacher’s license.

In 1896, the church shifted to Dato Kramat Road, which proved to be a more strategic location. As it was closer to
the Tamil quarters, a surge in church attendance followed. The Tamil ministry was further consolidated with the
arrival of Rev. and Mrs J.F. Pykett. They spoke the Tamil language well. With the assistance and vision of Mrs.

Pykett, a Sunday School was organised. The members of the Ladies’ Aid of the Church (now called Methodist
Women) began to take a greater interest and played a more active role in the church work. At this point in time, the
church membership stood at forty-five members, including three probationers. In 1897, this number increased
slightly, totalling at fifty-seven members, including five on probation.

“The property, No. 533 on Dato Kramat Road was acquired for $ 7,242, and the school formally opened in 1905.”
The Dato Keramat English School was established.

Rev. James A. Supramaniam (January 1916 – May 1917) served in the dual capacity of Headmaster/teacher of the
Dato Keramat English School and as a pastor of Tamil Church, Penang. Likewise, Rev. S. S. Pakianathan too served
from the time period of February 1918 to February 1919. Their focus was on education and evangelism. They visited
the sick and the poor, tending to their physical and spiritual needs, especially the labourers in the Tamil quarters.

The Second Quarter (1919-1944) 50 years
The Church moved to Perak Road, its Present Location in 1934

In 1934, the church moved again to Perak Road.
“After worshipping in this place for 20 years, it was felt desirable in 1925 to move to a better site as it was entirely
unsuitable for worship and to school, due to increasing traffic and consequent noise. In 1925, with a deposit of
$300/- in the Mission Treasury, another $700/- was raised in 1927 by the untiring efforts of the Ladies’ Aid. It was

ventured with faith in God to build this present Church and Parsonage (Perak Road). With the contribution of $4,500
from the Mission Church Extension Fund and locally raised $8,000/-, our late Bishop Edwin F. Lee, who had always
been sympathetic towards such aspirations, was approached. With the liberal help of the Finance Committee, the
goal was speedily achieved. The present site of 24,500 square feet was purchased in 1932 for $ 4220.

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