(Phnom Penh): The restoration of the historic Old Catholic Church atop Bokor Mountain is moving forward with a bold vision to revive the sacred site in time for its 100th anniversary in 2028.

Located within Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, the French colonial church was originally built in 1928 and remains one of the few religious structures in Cambodia to have survived the Khmer Rouge era. After decades of abandonment, the site was officially returned to the Catholic Church by the Cambodian government in 2017 for restoration and religious use.

The project, sponsored by the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, is envisioned as a multi-dimensional mission centered on three pillars: spiritual renewal, historical preservation, and environmental responsibility.

Spiritually, the restored church is intended to serve once again as a sacred space for prayer, pilgrimages, and weddings — a mountaintop retreat for reflection and evangelization. Historically and culturally, the initiative seeks to preserve the church’s original French colonial architecture and unique acoustics while educating visitors about Cambodia’s colonial past and the church’s survival through turbulent times. Environmentally, the project integrates conservation efforts within Cambodia’s first national park, focusing on erosion control and biodiversity enhancement through the planting of native species.

Architect Anton Tung, a specialist in religious architecture, leads the restoration efforts alongside Apostolic Vicar Olivier Schmitthäusler and Apostolic Vicar Coadjutor Pierre Suon Hangly. The core team also includes Father Will Conquer of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, who recently shared the project’s mission with Fresh News.

“This restoration project is a call to rebuild not just walls, but the spirit of unity and faith in Cambodia and Asia,” Bishop Schmitthäusler said. Bishop Hangly added, “Bokor Church is our most famous church. It needs to become a beacon for pilgrims and a symbol of hope.”

With its centenary approaching in 2028, the Bokor Church Restoration Project stands as a symbol of faith, heritage, and hope for future generations.
=FRESH NEWS