Changi Chapel And Museum

Changi Chapel And Museum

On this inbound trip, we had time to visit the Changi Chapel and Museum, to learn more about the Allied Prisoners of War and civilians who were in interned after the Fall of Singapore. The Japanese military occupation lasted for three and a half years, from 1942 to 1945. 

Because the time was quite limited, we splashed out on a taxi there and back; it was interesting to note the fare for the taxi ordered by the Hotel was some 50% more expensive, than the cab ordered for us by a kind member of staff at the Changi Chapel to take us back, so we realised there must be a premium added on to bookings made for Crowne Plaza Hotel guests. We didn't really mind because we needed to get there and back quickly and a taxi was the best option, but we have noted this for future reference! 

The Museum and Chapel have been revamped and reopened in 2021; the stories and exhibits featured show the resilience and fortitude displayed by those internees. 

I knew there had been many British servicemen POWs, but had never realised quite how many Australian and New Zealand soldiers had also been imprisoned. 

The exhibition consists of 8 main sections, covering the prisoners' daily lives, responses to the many challenges they faced and finally their liberation.  We need to learn a great deal more about these times, and refresh our memories of history lessons from a long time ago, and then return to spend longer and really understand more of how life was during those turbulent years. 

A truly claustrophobic experience

We also visited the Chapel that was modelled on St George's Church, and was one of the many Churches built by the prisoners of war in Changi during their internment. A second Chapel was built at Kanchanaburi by POWs who were sent to work on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, and two more were built at Changi Gaol by returning prisoners of war. All these churches continued to provide comfort and hope to everyone who attended the services there. 

Although our visit was necessarily a brief one, Wendy and I were both highly impressed and very moved by our experience of what we had seen and learned so far. 

We have heard of some people being confused by the area where prisoners or war were interned and the State Prison in Changi which is the main correctional facility in Singapore for current offenders; this of course is off limits to tourists!