About Us

Reverend Lee Huai Kwang (7.4.1918 – 25.11.2005)

Rev. Lee Huai Kwang was born of a poor family in Jin Sha Village, near Shantou, in southern China. He became a preacher at Zion Church in Shantou after graduating from Barbour College in 1938. He married Miss Chan Cheng Leong in 1939 and came to Singapore with his family in 1947. He was first assigned by the Presbyterian Synod to serve as preacher at Holy Light Church in Johore Bahru. In 1950 he became the preacher at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Singapore. He was ordained in 1971 and retired as Senior Minister in 1991. However, he continued to serve Bethel and beyond until he was called home to eternal rest.

In 1951 God provided the opportunity for Rev. Lee to be principal of Min Sin School and still serve in the Church. At the time Bethel was unable to support its preacher. In 1973 Rev. Lee gave up the principal position in Min Sin School to concentrate fully in church work.

During his 55 years of service at Bethel, 23 years in a honorary capacity, the church grew from a Teochew congregation with less than 20 families to its present three congregations worshipping also in Mandarin and English. Rev. Lee valued Christian discipleship. In those days when Christian teach materials were scarce, he wrote and compiled teaching materials to benefit Bethel members. These were published in 8 volumes. He was caring and dedicated to church members and was well loved by them.

Rev. Lee played a pivotal role in turning around the fledgling Li Sun High School (set up in 1965 by the Synod) into the present-day Presbyterian High School. In 1976, against all odds, he founded All Saints Memorial Chapel (ASMC) with support from Bethel and some other churches, pioneering the practice of Christian cremation in Singapore. In 1987 he founded All Saints Home at Poh Huat Road in response to the increasing need to help the aged sick. A new Home in Tampines in 2001, with subsidy from the Ministry of Health, and the redevelopment of the Poh Huat Road Home in 2005, affirmed his foresight.

In his years of service to God, Rev. Lee demonstrated vision, compassion and determination in leading Bethel and in responding to the changing needs of Singapore’s Christian community and beyond. He displayed an indefatigable spirit, tenacity and an ability to inspire, persuade and generate support for his ideas and to raise the necessary funds. This enabled him to achieve significantly in his calling as pastor as well as in his social and community service. In 2002 he was awarded the Public Service Star (BBM) by the Singapore Government in recognition of his contributions to society.

Praise be to God. Amen.
Easter 2009