Introduction
At the end of Light Street (Lebuh Light) is Convent Light Street - or also known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus - a girls' school established by a French Sisters' Mission in 1852. The Convent is an impressive complex of buildings which once served a wholly different purpose before they were turned into the Convent proper. Within the walled complex of the comvent is one of the oldest buildings in Georgetown - a bungalow once owned by Francis Light which dates back to 1793. Though and old structure, Convent Light Street still has plenty of charms. The chapel of the convent is adorned with stained glass windows imported from France.

Today, Convent Light Street is the oldest girls' school complex in the country, having remained on this site for nearly one and a half century.

History
The Convent Light Street complex used to serve as the seat of the Penang Government in the early 19th century, when it was referred to as the 'Government House'. Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, worked here from 1805 to 1810 as Deputy Secretary to the Governor of Penang. The Convent which took over the site in 1859, added a chapel, cloisters for the Sisters, an orphanage, a boarding house for student boarders and several classrooms. During World War II, the Convent was turned into a base for the invading Japanese Army who also held captured prisoners within the Convent grounds.

For more information, please contact:
Penang Tourist Centre
Penang Port Commission Building
(Ground Floor Arcade)
Pesara King Edward
10300 Pulau Pinang
Tel: +604-2616663

Opening Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, from 8.30am to 4.30pm (Lunch break from 1pm to 2pm). Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm (Lunch from 12.30pm to 2.30pm)

OR

Penang Tourism Action Council
56th Floor, KOMTAR
10000 Penang
Tel : +604-262 0202
Fax : +604-263 1020
Email : enquiry@tourismpenang.gov.my