Pattaya’s Church of the Assumption celebrated its fifth anniversary with a special mass and outdoor fair.
Bishop of Chantaburi Silvio Siripong Charatsri led the Nov. 13 ceremony, joined by St. Nikolas Church Rev. Philipp Adisak Phorn Ngam, former St. Nikolas Rev. Francis Xavier Kritsada Sukkaphat, Pattaya Orphanage Director Rev. Michael Weera Pangrak, Rev. Joseph ‘Phu’ Puwanard Naenna of Sriracha, and Father John Babtiste Nuphan Thasmalee, who was a priest in Pattaya for 1 ½ years and who will now go to Rome to study there for three years.
This year’s celebration was muted by the death of HM the King just a month earlier and the usual church fair was canceled. However, guests did carry a statue of the Virgin Mary around the grounds before enjoying a meal together.
Church deacon Premprecha Dibbayawan spoke after the mass and told the story of the church’s founding. Church council then gave the bishop gifts and Bishop Charatsri closed by making his own remarks.
Built by Pornthep Phornprapha and Chatri Sophonpanich on Soi Siam Country Club for about 60 million baht, the church opened Nov. 19, 2011 in a “green environment zone.” Meant to be both environmentally sensitive and Thai-accented, the 21-rai house of worship resides in the Thaworn-Usa Thani Botanical Garden.
The Church of the Assumption Pattaya is administered by the Diocese of Chanthaburi. Mass is celebrated Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in Thai and 11 a.m. in English.
