Old church, gingerbread house hailed as historical sites

The Fine Arts Department has registered Windsor House in Kudeejeen society and the First Presbyterian Church in the Samre place, both in Bangkok, as historic sites.

Located in Thon Buri district, Windsor House draws tourists ‘ attention because of its gingerbread style, wood and weather-beaten problem.

The two-storey wooden home was built during the reign of King Mongkut and was originally owned by Louis Windsor, a rich English merchant who owned Windsor Shop on Charoen Krung Road.

Attempts to renovate the building experience hurdles as it is located on a property storyline owned by Santa Cruz Church which does not permit any operations for business purposes. The membership of the tower as an historic site is hoped to address these concerns.

The First Presbyterian Church was set up in 1849 by the American Presbyterian Mission which arrived in the nation in 1840 during the era King Rama III. When the missionaries first arrived, they stayed with others in Kudeejeen area.

The preachers set up the First Presbyterian Church in 1849 but without an actual religion. Prayer sessions and service were conducted in their living rooms. They eventually moved to Samre region, and it was not until 1860 that the church was built.

The development took two years to complete and the First Presbyterian Church has been the center of the Presbyterian area ever since.

A school for boys was afterwards established, now known as the Bangkok Christian College.

The First Presbyterian Church, facing the Chao Phraya River, comprises a one-storey creating for service and a whistle castle. The First Presbyterian Church, known for its simple architecture, was awarded for restoration by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage in 2004.

The register of both places and the surrounding areas for their historical and cultural impact was notd in the Royal Gazette. The presentations were signed by the director-general of the Fine Arts Department.