Holy Redeemer Church, Bangkok

Holy Redeemer Church (Thai: วัดพระมหาไถ่; RTGS: wat phra mahathai) in Bangkok, Thailand is a Roman Catholic church established by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer[1] (also known as the Redemptorists[1]). It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangkok, part of the province of Thailand.[2]

Holy Redeemer Church
วัดพระมหาไถ่
Holy Redeemer Church in 2021
13.734739°N 100.548870°E / 13.734739; 100.548870
LocationRuamrudee Lane
Witthayu Rd
Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
CountryThailand
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.holyredeemerbangkok.org
History
StatusParish church
Founded1949
Founder(s)Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
Architecture
Functional statusActive
StyleThai
Administration
ArchdioceseBangkok
Clergy
Pastor(s)Rev. Joseph Prud Thipthong C.Ss.R.

Location

The church is located in Soi Ruamrudee,[3] off Phloen Chit BTS Station, close to the foreign embassy district in the city.[4]

Liturgy

The church celebrates mass daily with separate services in Thai and English.[5] The musical elements of the services are provided by an electronic organ and the participation of the congregation.

History

The Parish of Holy Redeemer was established by the Redemptorists in 1949,[6][7] with the church itself being built in 1954.[6][8] It is built in the traditional Thai architectural style.[2][9][10]

Community

Its location in the city lends itself to a large congregation[11] catering to local and international parishioners from many different cultures and walks of life.[6][12][13][14] It also draws many of its congregation from the Klong Toey slums.[15]

Schools
Main article: Ruamrudee International School

The Redemptorists, with the support of expatriate parishioners, founded the Ruamrudee International School in 1957.[16] The school is now located in Minburi and has grown to have a student population of approximately 1300.[16] It grew from the original Thai-medium school, Holy Redeemer School, which remains on the parish property.[2] Ruamrudee follows the American curriculum and uses English as its medium of instruction while Holy Redeemer follows the local curriculum.

Marriage preparation

The parish has a well-established marriage preparation program (Pre-Cana instruction) and serves as the main centre for Roman Catholic parishes in Bangkok to send couples for marriage preparation.[6][17]

Food outreach program

The church supports a Food Outreach Program that aims to help people who are asylum seekers, mostly from Pakistan with others from Sri Lanka, Palestine and Syria. Started in 2009, it now supports more than 400 families each month

Social outreach

The Thailand Redemptorists have also developed numerous other community-based programs or institutions, including:

  • Sarnelli House Thailand, an orphanage for children who have been abandoned or who have HIV/AIDS
  • Human Development Foundation Mercy Centre, a "shelter for street kids, five orphanages, a hospice, a home for mothers and children with HIV/AIDS, a 400-pupil kindergarten, a community meeting place, and a serene haven in the slums with small gardens and playgrounds
  • Father Ray Foundation, an organisation that cares for "orphaned, abused and disadvantaged children and students with disabilities

Community services

See also

References
  1. "Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer". Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  2. Redemptorist Celebration of the new Province of Thailand
  3. "Redemptorists: The 'Rebels of St Alphonsus' in Thailand". Catholic News in Asia | LiCAS.news | Licas News. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  4. Google Map showing location of Holy Redeemer Church, Bangkok
  5. "Mass Times". Archived from the original on 2016-01-02. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  6. Holy Redeemer Church, Bangkok: A microcosm of the Universal Church
  7. History of Redemptorists in Thailand
  8. "Holy Redeemer Church, Bangkok". The Redemptorist - Thailand Chapter. 16 Dec 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  9. Barrett, Kenneth (2014). 22 walks in bangkok Exploring the City's Historic Back Lanes and Byways. New York: Tuttle Publishing. p. 311. ISBN 9781462913800.
  10. Hoskin, Photography by Allen W. Hopkins. Text by John (1995). Bangkok by design : architectural diversity in the city of angels. Bangkok: Select Books. p. 139. ISBN 978-9742020378.
  11. Christmas in Bangkok by photojournalist Jack Kurtz
  12. Obituary of Jonathan Harger (The Nation)
  13. Bangkok Companies church reviews
  14. Happy Together: The Catholic Blueprint for a Loving Marriage by John Bosio (book) (published by Happy Together)
  15. Hopkins, Father Joe Maier ; foreword by Jerry (2005). Welcome to the Bangkok slaughterhouse : the battle for human dignity in Bangkok's bleakest slums. Singapore: Periplus. p. 15. ISBN 978-0794602932.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. "Ruamrudee International School website". Archived from the original on 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  17. "Church Timings and Details". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  18. Acclimate Magazine, Ann White
  19. "Bangkok Guide (book) (published by Australian-New Zealand Women's Group)". Archived from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  20. Successful living in Bangkok by Jennie Sharples of Community Services of Bangkok(book) (published by Community Services of Bangkok)
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