George Drumgoole Coleman
Rest and relax in these lovely monuments
There are 2 dome roof monuments located outside Fort Canning Centre. These 2 lovely shelters painted in white were designed by architect George Drumgoole Coleman, during the 18th century. Mr GD Coleman was one of the remarkable pioneers architects in Singapore history.
He is also the designer of Coleman Bridge, which was named after him.
There isn’t any record showing the date of construction as well as the purpose. Most probably, it’s meant for a quiet time in the sweetest part of the hill.
37) Brother Bridges to Chinatown
There are two bridges leading us from the direction of east to Chinatown.
One is on the left, the “Elgin Bridge”, while the one on the right is “Coleman Bridge”.
Elgin Bridge was built as an unnamed footbridge in 1819. The existing bridge was built in 1929 and named after Lord Elgin (Governor-General of India). It was the first bridge across Singapore River that linked two roads to Chinatown core, South Bridge Road and North Bridge Road.
The second one is Coleman Bridge, which was built in 1840. It was the second bridge built across the Singapore River. Designed and named after an Irish, George Drumgoole Coleman, Singapore’s first architect.
In 1865, the original brick bridge was replaced by timber. And in 1886, an iron bridge was built to replace the wooden one.
To withstand the increasing heavy traffic flow, the iron bridge was finally demolished in 1986 and replaced with the present concrete bridge while the iron lamp post and railing were retained under historical conservation.
Day and night, Elgin Bridge stood still as strong as an iron man, bearing travelers without any complaints.
Ferry with tourist sight seeing the landscape of Singapore River.
The little Bodhi tree witnessing the hustle and bustle of our footsteps and the history of the two bridges in the heart of the Singapore river.
1) The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
The sculpture reflects Jesus carrying a cross to sacrifice his life in order to protect his holy spirit.
The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, the oldest Christian Church in Singapore. It is sited at the foot of Fort Canning Hill along Hill Street. The founder of this Church is an Armenian community living in Singapore in the 18th Century.
A few persons in this Armenian community must be named, they are the Sarkies brothers, Archak, Aviet and Tigran who were also responsible for the founding of the Raffles Hotel, the E&O Hotel in Penang and the Strand in Yangon. Another person is Agnes Joaquim, the horticulturist who discovered Singapore first hybrid orchid in 1893 which today is known as Vanda Miss Joaquim as Singapore National Flower. And also, Catchik Moses, the founder of The Straits Times, Singapore’s national English newspaper started in 1845, but one year later he sold it away as the press is not profiting.
The abovementioned personalities were buried behind the Memorial Garden behind the church. The tombstones were brought over when the Bukit Timah Christian Cemetery was exhumed in 1988 and now they are the Angels of this tranquil holy garden and holy land.
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