Caldwell House was designed by the well-known architect, G.D. Coleman, for H.C. Caldwell, a senior clerk to the Magistrates. Later, it became part of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus when Caldwell sold it to Father Beurel in 1852. The Gothic style chapel with flying buttresses was completed between 1890 and 1910. Following extensive restoration and conservation works, the whole complex comprising the Chapel, Caldwell House and the former Convent is today poised to be a commercial establishment. It is now known as CHIJMES.
Once the home of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) school and orphanage, today houses art galleries, boutiques and fine restaurants.
The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus School (CHIJ) was founded by Father Jean-Marie Beurel and French nuns in 1854. Its early growth was guided by Rev Mother Mathilde Raclot. The work was continued by generations of dedicated Sisters of the Charitable Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus of St Maur who built it into one of the leading schools in Singapore. Here too, abandoned babies were welcomed and cared for. Even today, the place is fondly remembered as "Town Convent".
In 1983 the school relocated to Toa Payoh. A portion of the grounds was acquired by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority. In 1995, the remaining area was restored and converted into a commercial complex known as CHIJMES.
The historic buildings are Caldwell House, the Chapel, now CHIJMES Hall and the Orphanage built around 1856. Designed by G D Coleman, Caldwell House is one of the oldest residential buildings in Singapore.
The Gothic-style Chapel was designed by Father Charles Benedict Nain and completed in 1903. Each of the 648 capitals on the arcade columns was given a unique depiction of tropical birds and plants. The stained glass windows were produced in Breuges, Belgium by Jules Dobbelaere.
The Gate of Hope
At this small gate of the former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus(CHIJ), many babies were abandoned in baskets to be picked by the Sisters of the Convent. This was the origin of the Home for Abandoned Babies.
For over 100 years, the orphanage was born to children for poor or broken families as well as unwanted babies. The orphanage took in many Chinese baby girls born in the year of the tiger - "tiger girls' - because of the strong superstitious belief then, that they would bring bad luck to the families.
In 1968, the Mother Superior noted that this practice was stopped as there was a marked change in this superstitious belief.
The Home for Abandoned Babies ceased functioning in 1983 when the CHIJ was relocated.
The CHIJ was founded in Singapore in 1854 by the French Catholic Missionary, Father Jean Marie Beuret.
Marker Text:
At this small gate of the former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus(CHIJ), many babies were abandoned in baskets to be picked by the Sisters of the Convent. This was the origin of the Home for Abandoned Babies. For over 100 years, the orphanage was born to children for poor or broken families as well as unwanted babies. The orphanage took in many Chinese baby girls born in the year of the tiger – “tiger girls’ – because of the strong superstitious belief then, that they would bring bad luck to the families. In 1968, the Mother Superior noted that this practice was stopped as there was a marked change in this superstitious belief.