By Goh Eck Kheng, with additional reporting by Kenneth Koh
One of CCMC’s 30th anniversary 30 Blessings Project is the publication of a revised edition of Bishop T R Doraisamy's “Sophia Blackmore in Singapore, Educational and Missionary Pioneer, 1887-1927” as a gift to bless the current students of Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) and Fairfield Methodist School (MGS), schools founded by Sophia Blackmore.
This edition is published by arrangement with the General Conference of the Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church in Singapore which first published the book in 1987.
The new book will retain Bishop Doraisamy’s original text, but will be richly illustrated with many hitherto unpublished photographs from the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church, United States of America, and the archives of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
These include a formal double portrait of Sophia Blackmore and Mah Li, a girl brought by her father from Medan in 1887 to become the first Chinese girl to study in MGS, and a scene of Fairfield Methodist School at Neil Road showing horse carriages and rickshaws during dismissal time.
Another insightful photograph shows Sophia Blackmore soon before she returned to her native Australia in 1927 after 40 years in the mission field.
In late-Oct, CCMC Pastor-in-Charge Rev David Gwee presented the book to MGS, followed by Pastor Rufus Chan doing likewise to FMS.
In response to this gift, MGS Principal Mrs Valarie Wilson said, “MGS is deeply honored to receive this meaningful gift from Covenant Community Methodist Church in celebration of your 30th anniversary—Sophia Blackmore in Singapore, the story of the visionary founder of our school.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rev David Gwee, Pastor Rufus Chan, Mr Goh Eck Kheng, who led this project with such passion, and to all our brothers and sisters at CCMC for your generosity in sharing this precious gift with us.
This book is a treasured resource for our community, a testament to God’s enduring love and faithfulness. It reminds us of the rich legacy we are privileged to be a part of, one deeply rooted in faith, service, and commitment to God.
Through this book, we will have the opportunity to reconnect with the inspiring life of Miss Sophia Blackmore—an extraordinary woman, a dedicated missionary, and an educator who deeply loved God and His people. We deeply cherish the special bond we share between CCMC and MGS.
From all of us here at MGS, thank you, CCMC, for this thoughtful and generous gift!”
Mr Wee Tat Chuen, Principal of FMS said, “Fairfield is grateful for the meaningful gift from CCMC detailing the life and mission of Ms Sophia Blackmore!
The book is a rich spiritual treasure of not just the Founder of Fairfield Methodist Schools but of a godly lady who brought her leadership and giftings to bear on God’s call upon her life. I am excited at how the Fairsians’ lives will be enriched through this gift of blessing!”
Said Goh Eck Kheng, the production manager and picture editor of the book, “The rare archival photos open a wide window to not only the early work of Sophia Blackmore but also the educational mission of the infant Methodist Mission in Singapore.”
Rev David Gwee said, “The republishing of this book is most timely as CCMC is so closely intertwined in partnership with MGS. The life and work of Sophia Blackmore is thus instrumental in this relationship and we are pleased to be involved in this updated tome.”
Two studio portraits of Sophia Blackmore from the Singapore National Archives were taken at Lee Brothers Studio operated by the maternal grandfather of Dawn Ou, Rev Gwee’s wife.
Following the presentation of the book to MGS and FMS, it was made available to CCMC congregants and TRAC pastors. It will also be added to the archives of the Methodist Church in Singapore.
To find out more about this book, drop us an email at admin@ccmc.org.sg!
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