The History of the St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary
The Major Seminary was established in 1983. Prior to its founding, seminarians from Singapore would study at the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary (now the CSC) for the first four years and complete their priestly formation at the College General in Penang, Malaysia.
The political separation of Malaysia and Singapore in the 1960s made it difficult for Singapore Seminarians to proceed to the Penang College General for their final formation. The Malaysian government did not recognize the College General as an institution of higher learning. At the same time, the governments of Malaysia and Singapore also imposed quotas on foreign missionaries.
Amidst such circumstances, the late Archbishop Gregory Yong established the Major Seminary in 1983. It operated temporarily at the premises of the old Minor Seminary with Fr. Noel Chin as the first rector. A new seminary building was constructed and completed in 1988. Its official opening and blessing took place at Ponggol 17th Avenue, where it stands today.
Click to read UCAN's interview with Rector Fr William Goh on 25 years of the Seminary's presence...