St. Paul's Church in Malacca is a historical landmark with deep cultural and religious significance. Originally built in 1521 by Portuguese captain Duarte Coelho, it was first a simple chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as "Our Lady of the Hill." When the Dutch seized Malacca in 1641, they renamed the church "St. Paul's" and used it as a place of worship. However, after the construction of Christ Church in Malacca's town square, St. Paul's Church was disused.
Located on St. Paul's Hill, the church's ruins overlook the Straits of Malacca, offering stunning views. Though in ruins today, it stands as a symbol of the European colonial presence in Malaysia and reflects the layers of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences over the centuries.
St. Paul's is also significant for being the temporary resting place of St. Francis Xavier, a missionary who greatly contributed to the spread of Catholicism in Asia. His body was interred in the church in 1553 before it was moved to Goa, India.
