METES, Jon
Communities of Singapore (Part 3),
Accession Number 002657
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 15
Total Reels
- Patricia Lee
Interviewer
- 07:05:36
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Overview : "The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 2 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:29:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
How the Armenians became embroiled in church history politics. How the Armenians migrated to Singapore. Family background of Mrs Helen Metes. Armenian Church existed in Penang first before Singapore. Helen’s recollections of the old Sea View Hotel owned by the Jews.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
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Reel/Disc 3 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
The Martin Family owned 100 Tanglin Road property. Most Armenian balls (parties) were held there. How the Armenians obtained the land at Hill Street to build the church. Mrs Helen Metes is the last three-member trustee of the church. Dromgold Coleman, the architect of the Armenian Church, had an Armenian mistress. Catchick Moses was a co-founder of THE STRAITS TIMES. Assimilation of the Armenians into the community. Armenians are enterprising people.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:28:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
Recollections of the eleven pure Armenian families in 1968. Reduced to three in 1993. Last service was held in 1997. Description of the order of worship. Service was conducted in the Grabar language. No weekly service after the priest left in 1938. Armenians practiced infant baptism by immersion. Armenians' view on circumcision and the Holy Communion. Armenians observed Christmas as well as "Epiphany" on 6 January. Short description of an Armenian marriage. Armenians only buried their dead; no cremation.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:31:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
Further elaboration of the "Epiphany". How Catchick Moses was the co-founder of The Straits Times. How the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid was named after Ms Agnes Ashen Joaquim. Food savoured by the Armenians. Mrs Metes' mother left behind Armenian cooking recipes. How Armenians living overseas viewed their roots as Armenians. Minimal use of musical instrument during worship except the organ. Description of the 1917 photograph taken outside the Armenian Church.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
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Reel/Disc 7 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:25:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
How difficult it was to travel from Singapore to Jakarta and vice-versa during the Confrontation period. How he was caught in the coup in Palembang. Worked for Esso in Singapore in 1967. Recollections of Orchard Road in the 1960s. Their favorite dating haunts were Cockpit Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel and Pasir Ris Beach. His opinion on the local perspectives towards expatriates living in Singapore. His impressions of the British in Singapore.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:29:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
Recollections of the Singapore Dutch School. How Mrs Metes was being sent to convent school. Aspects of life as a boarder at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) School. The bathing
facilities in the convent. Differences between the Armenian faith and the Roman Catholic faith.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
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Reel/Disc 10 of 15
Metadata
- 21 May 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Overview
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
Synopsis
Living in Japan as newly weds. Mr Metes' resignation from Esso in 1970. His short working stint in Sydney. Started his own business in management consultancy and later publishing in the 1970s. Helen suffered minor strokes and hence his preference to work from home. Ingredients for success in their marriage. How the couple overcame the odds in life.
(Other interviewee: Metes, Jon)
Remarks
"The Armenian Church of St Gregory - Singapore 1835" by Jon Metes
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
