What stories lie behind one of Sarawak’s oldest Catholic missions?
Flowing through the heart of Sarawak, the Rajang River has long served as a vital lifeline connecting communities, trade, and cultures. Nestled along its banks is the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Kanowit—a cornerstone of Roman Catholic heritage in central Sarawak since its founding in 1883.Historical records indicate that the original St. Francis Xavier Church was built in 1885. The earlier timber church, remembered for its distinctive twin towers, was later demolished in 1967 to make way for the present church building.
What began as a remote outpost established by pioneering Mill Hill missionaries quickly transformed into a thriving center for social and spiritual transformation. Beyond religious ministry, the mission brought early formal schooling, vital medical care, and community welfare to the indigenous communities upriver. Over the course of fourteen decades, through periods of war, reconstruction, and modern transition, the mission has been shaped by the dedicated service of international and local clergy, religious sisters, catechists, and devoted parishioners.
Today, St. Francis Xavier Mission is more than a place of worship; it is a repository of living history. From historical ironwood structures like Sacred Heart Chapel in Bawan to rich archival photographs and indigenous-inspired church artistry, the compound holds the generational memories of the Rajang Basin. This documentation celebrates that enduring legacy, paying tribute to the individuals who built it and ensuring its stories are preserved for generations to come.
Read the full story and rediscover a legacy that has endured for more than 140 years.
Please click here to read the full article : St Xavier Kanowit
Please click here to read the full article : Sacred Heart Chapel
| Year | Event |
| 1883 | Kanowit Mission established by Fr. Edmund Dunn and Fr. Aloysius Keyzer |
| 1885 | First church constructed |
| 1898 | Sacred Heart Chapel Bawan established |
| 1911 | Fr. Adrian Klerk becomes Rector |
| 1941–1945 | Japanese Occupation |
| 1967 | Original twin-tower church demolished |