Bishopgate, Kuching

There is a tiny street which cut across Carpenter Street in Kuching which has some historical value not known to many. Most visitor will miss the gate as it is not so conspicuous among the shop houses along Carpenter Street.  However, the once prominent gate is now reduced to just a small portion of the brick wall.

 

Bishopgate Street derived its name after the gate of the Anglican Mission complex in the 18th and 19th century. The Anglican mission complex was separated from the shop houses of the bazaar by a brick wall.

 

The stout ironwood doors of the Bishopgate were used for pedestrian access to the Kuching's main thoroughfares, the bazaar and the Waterfront. Today, most part of the wall had to make way for a new road (which is a shame actually).

 

The official access to the Cathedral compound was from the front, that is from the Rock Road. The Bishop's watchman locked the gate at dusk, keeping the mission staff and families in and unwelcome visitor outside.