British Empire Article

Pensionnat Notre Dame, Cameron Highlands

In the late 1920s, the Bishop of Malacca, H.E. Monsignor Emile Barillon wrote to the British government seeking a grant of land at the constituency. His purpose was to oversee a Catholic post comprising a monastery, a convent (Pensionnat Notre Dame), a retreat (Father’s House) and a church. His request was granted on condition a European boarding school was included in the plan. The construction of the Pensionnat Notre Dame began in 1929. Mr. P.L.M. Nathan, was appointed the project’s architect and structural engineer. The structure was completed in 1934. H.E. Monseigneur Adrian Pierre Devals blessed the building’s foundation on Monday, 9 July 1934. The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, 26 May 1935. The Hon. Mr. C. C. Brown, the British Resident of Pahang officially opened the complex on Saturday, 27 July 1935. Thereafter, the school continued to grow. In less than three months, the student intake grew from 18 to 70. By 1940, it had more than 240 pupils. This, however, came to a halt during the Second World War (1941-1945). The Japanese turned the building into a hospital.
Image courtesy of Ongzi

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