The Hon'ble Edmund Augustus Blundell being the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
The Hon'ble Thomas Church being Resident Councillor of Singapore.
Lieut-Col. Charles Pooley, of the Madras Army, Commanding the Troops.
The Rev. William Topley Humphrey being Chaplain.
And Captain Ronald McPherson of the Madras Artillery being the Architect.
The Building to be erected at the charge of the Hon'ble East India Company.
Full Estimate of cost: Co.'s Rupees 120,932, or with Convict Labour Rupees 47,916.
In May, 1857, Captain Man proceeded from Malacca to Penang as Resident Councillor of that settlement, and Captain Macpherson took his place at Malacca. Captain Purvis, also of the Madras Artillery, was appointed to succeed Captain Macpherson in the combined duties of engineer and Superintendent of Convicts; but, to the regret of the Government, he relinquished the appointment at the close of the year, and Lieutenant McNair, another Madras Artillery officer, succeeded him. Lieutenant (now Major) McNair was a passed interpreter in the Hindustani language, which was spoken by the bulk of the convicts in the jail, and he subsequently qualified as a civil engineer. He remained in charge of the convicts until the jail was abolished in 1873.
Upon his assuming charge, the foundations of the new church had been laid and the masonry built up to nearly three feet above ground. The work was steadily carried on in accordance with the plans of Captain Macpherson, with the single exception that it was found necessary, owing to the weakness of the foundations, to abandon the heavy tower, and to place a light steeple instead. In the building of this church, Mr. John Bennett afforded most material assistance as Assistant Superintendent of Convicts. To his oversight and careful attention to the variety of details incident to such a work may be ascribed its satisfactory completion in January, 1862, when the edifice was consecrated by the then Bishop of Calcutta, Dr. George Cotton, who so unfortunately met his death in 1866 by being drowned in the Ganges. Further details in connection with this work will also be given under the heading of "[Convict Industries and Public Works]."
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