Beginnings of the Catholic in Cameron Highlands
Msgr. Barillon, the Bishop of Malacca, asked the Government in 1930 for a mission grant of land on the Highlands, which had been only explored and were in the process of development. The request was granted with the condition that a school for European youngsters be included, as otherwise they would leave their families in Malaya for a number of years while studying. In this cool healthy location they could be close to their parents, while avoiding the heat of the tropics.
One day in 1931 Fathers Perissoud, Fourgs and Devals (later Bishop Devals) hiked up from Ringlet to pick out a site for the convent. Their journey ended when Fr. Fourgs fell into the stream and broke his collar bone, just below the site they ultimately chose. Soon they had made arrangements to gouge out and level a large part of the mountain side for the new institution. The convent was the long cherished dream of Mother Tarcisius. On Apr. 21 1935, Rev. Mother St. Adele arrived at Tanah Rata with five Sisters, to supervise the work of construction and to prepare the opening of Pensionnat Notre Dame. It took 15 years to complete. The new locale was described by an early visitor as an “artistically laid out flower garden surrounding this little “children’s paradise” and commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding hills. The new boarding school was said to be second to none in Malaya, and as a model to many in Europe. “The main entrance commands The school had “the most modern teaching equipment, a very modern kitchen and a beautiful chapel. There were 18 youngsters present for the opening of classes. After three months the number had risen to 70, and by October, 1938, it was 141 and by 1940 there were 240 children. The report of the school inspector in 1939 stated in part: “I was impressed with the tone of the school and the scope of the syllabus; and I came away thinking to myself that the modern child, in such a school at any rate, is a very lucky young person.”
The fathers built a retreat and vacation residence at the same time as the convent was going up. Fr. Baloche was the first chaplain for the Sisters, while Mother St. Odou was named first Superior. Bishop Devals, assisted by Fr. Bonamy, had blessed the foundations on July 9, 1934, and the first Mass was celebrated there on May 26, 1935. It had been planned to erect a parish church on the land between “Nazareth” and the Father’s House, land now occupied by military barracks, but the plan was never realized. “This project was surely willed by God, and that is why there are difficulties to overcome.”
