Cornerstone Community Church’s purchase of two units on the fourth floor of Orchard Towers, will allow the church to explore “programmes and events that would cater to the needs of the larger community” in the prime Orchard Road stretch, said Senior Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong.

“Orchard is also a meeting point for many nationalities, and we’re excited to explore ways where we can bring a message of hope and be home to them!” he told Salt&Light.

The freehold property, totalling 19,289 sq ft of space, was purchased by Cornerstone Heritage two weeks ago for S$54.5 million. The area used to be occupied by a night club, Top 5, and a bar called Crazy Horse.

The shareholders of Cornerstone Heritage are Pastor Yang and his wife Daphne Yip – the founders and Senior Pastors of Cornerstone Community Church – and Timothy Chong, a Pastor at the church.

The three individuals hold their shares as trustees of the church and are bound by a trust deed to act in its interest, with any sale or mortgage of property requiring prior approval from a general meeting of members.

Redeeming yet another dark place

Orchard Towers has, since the mid-’80s, held the dubious honour of being the red light area of Orchard Road. Tenants included a nightclub called Top Ten, KTV lounges and massage parlours, and police raids were a common occurrence.

In 2023, the building management embarked on efforts to shed Orchard Towers’ long-held image. Almost all the public entertainment outlets were shut down and the police stopped granting or renewing entertainment licences after May 31, 2023 as part of the government’s effort to “manage the law and order situation and disamenities”. 

This move by Cornerstone into a space previously tainted by negative associations is not its first. The church’s current premises at The Odeon Katong were previously six karaoke pubs and massage parlours, the largest being Music World – a disco, pub and karaoke joint – which is now the main auditorium of the church.

“Cornerstone is no stranger to such a move. Since our first property purchase of Music World in 1997, our church has subsequently taken over six other units which were formerly KTVs, pubs and massage parlours,” Ps Yang told Salt&Light.

“Redeeming dark places and being situated in commercial spaces in the heart of the community have come to be a significant part of our DNA as a church. “

The two adjacent properties at Orchard Towers are the latest in a list of acquisitions by Cornerstone. Photo from Cornerstone Community Church website.

Originally a cinema, this space was a disco-pub for until its licence expired. It will soon become Cornerstone’s new “vineyard” on Orchard Road. Photo from Cornerstone Community Church’s website.

As such, the move has been met with “nothing but a groundswell of support over this new venture of faith”, said Ps Yang.

Apart from the services at its main Odeon Katong location, Cornerstone currently holds two services on Sunday at the Golden Village halls in Bugis+. The congregation at Bugis will likely shift to the new Orchard Premises once renovation is complete, with Ps Yang hoping to start services there by December 2025.

“Our Bugis services will most likely be relocated to Orchard Towers, given that we will save on rental. Having a permanent place of our own will also relieve our volunteers of having to laboriously set up and tear down each week,” said Ps Yang.

The Orchard Towers venue will likely include a 550-seater hall. The Katong premise will still continue functioning as a key service location and office space for our staff, he added.

Serving more than the church community

Beyond the practical benefits of this purchase, Ps Yang said: “In acquiring the properties at Orchard Towers, we inherit more than auditoriums.

“We are stepping into the promises of God, who has promised to enlarge our tent. We are committing to stepping out in faith and we believe this step of faith will result in much fruit.

“But more than that, we are inheriting the responsibility of stewarding and seeking the welfare of the community to which he is sending us.

“Planting a new vineyard on Orchard Road is a significant, generational investment. Just as the previous generation of Cornerstonians had sown generously to establish a house for the Lord in Katong, let us come together to do it once again on Orchard Road.”

This will include exploring optimising the usage of the new premises for programmes and events beyond the existing Cornerstone members, catering to the needs of the larger community in this area.

“We envision this space to be an Orchard and Vineyard where many will find spiritual refreshing, nourishment and in turn be planted and rooted in the House of God,” Ps Yang told Salt&Light.

“Orchard is also a meeting point for many nationalities, and we’re excited to explore ways where we can bring a message of hope and be home to them.

“Instead of Orchard Road being the go-to place only during Christmas for its festive lights and decor, we hope to be a beacon of light for all to be drawn to Christ and the hope He brings.”

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