The history of St. Michael and All Angels Church began in 1888, when Rev. W. H. Elton initiated the construction of a permanent Anglican church on Elton Hill in Sandakan. The project was ambitious for its time and required perseverance over many years. The church building was designed by New Zealand architect B. W. Mountfort, modeled after Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand.

Construction progressed slowly due to limited funds, lack of machinery, shortage of skilled labor, and the missionary responsibilities of Rev. Elton himself. The structure evolved through several stages—first timber, then brick, and finally stone. Much of the stone was quarried from Buli Sim Sim, while decorative white stones used around the windows and doors were imported from Hong Kong. Prison labor transported the heavy stones to the construction site.

Despite these challenges, the project continued steadily. Remarkably, when a severe earthquake struck Sandakan on 21 September 1897, the stone structure remained undamaged.

After thirteen years of construction, the church building was finally completed and formally dedicated on 30 September 1906. Rev. Elton continued serving as rector until 1914, when he returned to England, where he passed away later that same year. His perseverance laid the physical and spiritual foundation of the parish for generations to come.

Rev. Thomas Cecil Alexander took the mantle in 1914, followed by Archdeacon Bernard Mercer (1926–1939). The church became a pillar of the community, focusing on education and the spiritual grounding of North Borneo. In 1936, Rev. Henthorne arrived to lead St. Michael’s School, eventually becoming Rector and working alongside Rev. Sung Khi Fong, a figure who would become crucial during the coming darkness.

When Japanese forces landed in Sandakan in 1942, the church’s ministry faced severe disruption. On 28 September 1942, the church building was closed and converted into a military store. Worship services continued informally in Rev. Sung Khi Fong’s house.

Near the end of the war, tragedy struck when the church was bombed and burned on 5 June 1945.x

After the war, Rev. Sung Khi Fong served as priest-in-charge until 1947, when Rev. Sparrow assumed leadership from 1947 to 1949. Rev. Sung again served briefly as priest-in-charge from 1949 to 1950.

A new chapter began in 1950, when Rev. Frank Lomax arrived and undertook the rebuilding and restoration of the church. The restoration was completed, and the church was reopened on 16 December 1950.

Rev. Lomax placed strong emphasis on mission and evangelism beyond Sandakan, particularly in the interior regions of Sabah. Together with Bruce Sandilands, he traveled widely to areas such as Labuk, Tongud, Sapi, Telupid, and Segama.

This missionary vision led to the establishment of the North Borneo Interior Mission (later Sabah Anglican Interior Mission – SAIM) in 1956, a significant step in Anglican outreach in Sabah’s interior.

The mission continued expanding, and on 30 December 1957, the Epiphany Mission in Tongud was started when Bishop Cornwall commissioned Rev. Puntang and Catechist Kiri for the work.

This era marked a shift from reconstruction toward outward mission, extending the church’s influence far beyond Sandakan.

Another turning point came in 1973 when The Ven. Yong Ping Chung became rector. His leadership initiated renewed strategic planning for mission work.

On 30–31 July 1973, an important consultation meeting reviewed the work of the Sabah Anglican Interior Mission (SAIM) for the first time since 1965. The meeting produced several significant recommendations:

• Establishing a simple Bible school
• Translating Gospel and Epistle readings into local languages
• Strengthening evangelism efforts
• Reorganizing the catechist system

Under Ven. Yong’s visionary leadership, plans were also made to expand the parish. After two years of prayer and preparation, he proposed the construction of a daughter church. A building fund began in August 1978, and the new church, The Church of the Good Shepherd, was consecrated on 6 May 1984.

This period strengthened both leadership structure and missionary strategy within the parish.

During the 1990s, the church experienced a period of strong spiritual renewal under Rev. Ku Tuk Su and his pastoral team. The church placed emphasis on:

• Spirit-led praise and worship

• Weekly revival prayer meetings

• Evangelistic gatherings

Many believers returned to the church, and numerous individuals recommitted their lives to Christ. Reports from the period describe spiritual healing, restored families, and renewed dedication to ministry.

This revival also led many young people to dedicate their lives to full-time Christian service.

During this era, an important infrastructure development also took place. When St. Monica Primary School relocated to Mile 5, construction of the Parish Hall began in 1991 and was completed and dedicated by Bishop Yong Ping Chung in 1993.

Honoring History

Under Canon Moses Chin, the church undertook a significant heritage project. In 2003, together with relatives of Australian prisoners of war, the church initiated the installation of stained glass windows as memorials honoring those who suffered during the Japanese occupation and the local people who assisted them.

These windows, known as the Fellowship Windows, were dedicated in 2004 in a special service accompanied by the Hallelujah Chorus.

At around the same time, the church also began a hostel ministry for students from interior communities, another expression of gratitude toward the local community.

Mission and Welfare

In 2008, under Rev. Clarence Fu, the church assumed responsibility for the Seguntor School Ministry, originally started by Pastor Thomas Lee. The school provides basic education for children who cannot enroll in government schools, serving hundreds of students aged five to twelve.

Church staff members serve as teachers, and the ministry also includes weekly worship services and spiritual programs for the children.

Cell Group Development

Under the leadership of Canon Chak, the church introduced a cell group system to strengthen small groups and deepen fellowship among members. Many groups were reorganized and revived as the church continued its ministry growth.