In 1854, a small but growing Catholic community in Balik Pulau, Penang, were finally able to celebrate mass in a proper church building after almost a decade when the first Eucharist was celebrated by French missionary, Rev. Fr. Ducotey in an attap hut. Today, with a much larger and still growing Catholic community, the church building, while retaining its original form, has been enhanced and supplemented by a parish house, a grotto, a funeral parlour and a formation centre, all within a natural garden-like setting. In 2014, the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (HNJ) Balik Pulau celebrated its 160th parish anniversary and continues to serve the parishioners of both Balik Pulau and Penang Island.

Balik Pulau

Balik Pulau is a quaint town in the southwestern part of Penang Island lost half way between the airport and fishing villages. Better known for fruit farms, it is an unlikely place to look for street art. Perhaps unfairly, but one would think that younger generation would be looking somewhere else to hang out and, subsequently, leave a visual footprint of their presence. Julia Volchkova, a talented Russian artist, left her distinct mark there too. Balik Pulau Container Art is an art installation in Balik Pulau, Penang. It comprises disused containers that are painted with mural on one side. The art installation is at Kampung Terang, off Jalan Pulau Betong. It was installed as part of the Penang International Container Art Festival 2020. The artists involved were Leonard Show, Aries Kong and Marat Danilyan. The artwork celebrates the farming community of Balik Pulau.