We passed Mount Hosanna Church at around 158km Pan Borneo Highway when we were on the way from Kuching to Sri Aman.
We were on our 8-day Pan Borneo Highway self drive holiday from Kuching to Sibu.
Mount Hosanna Church's three pure white candle design atop a hill stood out like a beacon beckoning passersby to stop and partake in its majesty.
It's hard to miss its commanding presence and to not feel its magnetic draw.
And so, we pulled over, drawn in by the awe we felt about the three giant candles design.
This was my first time seeing a church with this three white candle design but knew instantly that it represents the Holy Trinity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The long flight of stairs looked intimidating but we knew it was a journey we had to take.
Known as Jacob's Ladder, it has a daunting 195 steps (for a 66 year old). Some sources said 201 steps.
The story of Jacob's Ladder is recorded in the Book of Genesis (chapter 28). Jacob fleeing from his brother Esau, rested on a rock and dreamt of a ladder or staircase leading to Heaven.
We climbed, one step at a time.
Present in front of the Holy Trinity.
The idea of representing the Holy Trinity in church design is not new nor uncommon - there are towers, spires, domes and cupolas.
But, the three candles design of Mount Hosanna Church is unique (there is no others like it in the world, as far as I know).
In 1987, the late Father Richard Khoo began conducting healing prayers in the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Peace in Bandar Sri Aman town.
In 1992, he acquired land at Gua Sukat with the local community's blessings to build a church and ground work began two years later.
The iconic three candles design was the brainchild of Desmond Ling.
Overcoming setbacks including financial crises, Mount Hosanna Church was officially opened on 16 Nov 1997 by Archbishop Peter Chung.
Father Richard Khoo conducted healing mass here at Mount Hosanna Church until he passed on in 2016.
The sanctuary was simple yet dignified and we can feel the spiritual presence.
In 2025, Archbishop Simon Poh expanded the church sanctuary's capacity from 100 to 500.
Mass is conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am. The church grounds is open to visitors daily from 9am to 4pm (except Monday).
Worshipers and visitors from far and wide come to visit Mount Hosanna Church.
Mount Hosanna Church
Address: Jalan Kuching - Sri Aman, 95000 Simanggang, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel: +608 332 2087 ☎ +6011 2343 8219
Hours: Mass on Saturday & Sunday at 10:30am | Grounds open to public 9am - 4pm daily (except Monday)
Written by Tony Boey on 9 Nov 2026
I was pertaining to a particular healing episode of a stage 4 cancer patient and the renovation funding that ensued.
ReplyDeleteNVM, I heard this from a local when passing by this iconic church building.
ReplyDelete