After the parish of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea moves into a modern and trendy Church in Yishun, it is right for us to reflect on the humble origin of our Church.

Religious services for the Catholics in the Naval Base area began in August 1949 at an old Japanese language school in Jalan Kedai, off Canberra Road. Fr. Dominic Vendargon (Archbishop Emeritus Dominic Vendargon) was appointed by the Bishop to formulate an autonomous parish. In August 1950, Fr. Albert Fortier succeeded Fr. Vendargon. Fr. Fortier conducted masses, marriages and all other rites at the Japanese school.

Undaunted, Fr. Fortier appealed to the generosity of the British authorities. His persistence, prayers and providence must have worked, for the British granted the site (which was part of the British Naval Base) on a twenty-one year lease. When a longer lease was requested, the British replied that they could not accede to it as they uncertain of their period of stay in Singapore.

Though Fr. Fortier was relieved, a more daunting task appeared - the task of raising the necessary funds to build a church. In true Christian spirit, he appealed to his parishioners, though he was well aware that the vast majority of his parishioners could hardly afford to part with much. Fr Fortier prayed and endured and soon the funds had swelled to twelve thousand dollars.

Among Fr. Fortier's other commitments at that time was, being adviser to the Catholic Nurses Guild. An appeal was made to them and they responded magnificently. In what was fairly novel fund raising idea in 1952, a lottery was held, with a Renault car as the top prize. Through this project, a sum of fourteen thousand dollars was raised. Another lottery draw was held the following year and another fourteen thousand dollars were raised.

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