MUKAH: The proposed new St Anthony’s Chapel project in Kampung Tellian Daya (Tellian Ulu) here received a grant amounting to RM2 million from Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) on Thursday (July 1).
Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo received the cheque from Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Unifor minister in-charge, in Kuching.
Yussibnosh, who was also former Balingian assemblyman, received the grant on behalf of the Kampung Tellian St Anthony’s Chapel committee.
It is learned that a proposal to construct a new chapel next to the existing building was mooted by the committee over five years ago.
New Sarawak Tribune observed that initial preparation to for the project had been undertaken over three years ago, with the sand-filling and sand-piling works done on the site.
However, the weather had taken its toll on site preparation, as a big proportion of the sandpile had been eroded.
The existing wooden chapel, which is located at the bank of Sungai Tellian in Kampung Tellian Daya, is believed to be over 50 years old.
Over the years, the chapel had undergone renovations and improvements to what it is today.
It is also believed that the building was formerly used as a school in the village, and the teacher was said to be a Catholic missionary priest, known as Father Anthony.
