Sabah building 6 storey St Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, Putatan

Sabahans are building a massive six storey St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Putatan, Sabah.

Nestled in the heart of Putatan, the proposed church would stands as a vibrant testament to the enduring faith of the local community and used as a hub of spiritual life, community engagement, and a source of solace for many.

For visitors and locals alike, St. Catherine Labouré, when completed, is expected to provide a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Catholicism in Sabah.

It is dedicated to St. Catherine Labouré, a French nun known for receiving visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Miraculous Medal.

The cost of construction

According to a report by the Borneo Post in 2024, the church is currently 70 percent completed, with the official site saying that construction is done in “As and when funds are available”.

This saw the construction of the church began on January 12, 2012, with the church still very much far from competeion at the time this article was written.

Based on comments online, construction seems to be halted or slowed down significantly.

According to an article by Borneo Post, the church funding dried up for construction, and the only contractor that agreed to do the church had mutually terminated their contract. It is not known if a new contractor has been appointed to date.

The article noted that the land where the church now sits cost RM2million, while the estimated cost of the church in June 2012 was RM10.47million.

The two acre land for the church was donated by the late Catherine Moinin, while another one acre land was donated by unnamed generous samaritans.

As of 31 December 2023, RM8.67 million was raised by the church with the church now partially up and roofed.

The design of the church

Another article dated back in 2020 said that the St Catherine Laboure Putatan Catholic Church would be able to accommodate 2,000 people at one time when fully completed.

This would make it one of the biggest churches in Borneo – Malaysia.

Additionally, it is built resembling the Romanesque architecture of medieval Europe, which would not only make the church unique in Sabah, but South East Asia.

Such feature would potentially make the church a major tourist attraction and landmark in Putatan and Sabah itself.

Here are some artist impression photos we found online, showing how the church is envisioned once completed.

There isn’t much information related to the proposed design of the church with the video below showing drone shots as well as interior shots of the church under construction, believed to be be shot in 2020.

Based on the video, it seems the church will have a semi-oval church hall for worship, with the main entrance being on Imbaan hill at Kampung Dimbaan, Putatan.

It is unclear what the rest of the four floors would be used for at this moment though we feel that it would likely be used for offices and maybe prayer rooms.

The church also has six sharp mini spires, with the bell tower believed to be the one located in the biggest spire at the entrance, at the top of the hill.

The fact that the church would sit on Imbaan hill, right across a river would make it even more picturesque.

Despite not fully completed, the church is already significant, being being the centre subject to photographers and locals as seen in images below.

Making it happen

That said, the St Catherine Laboure Putatan Catholic Church is still in need of funds and money to complete, with the church calling for donation to help complete perhaps one of Sabah’s biggest Catholic church.

Those interested to donate can directly make their donation to the church stated in the account below.

• RTDKK St. Catherine Laboure, Putatan
• A/C. No: 510189007514 Maybank

A poster for donation can be seen below as well.

Once completed, the church is expected to be a major tourist magnet for Sabah, just as how Kuching’s very own St Peter’s church, which opted for the gothic inspired design, is now a huge draw to tourist of all walks of lfe.

Hoping to see this church completed soonest.

Get your own rosary HERE.