The original chapel was built by Royal Engineers using scavenged materials, including timber from packing crates and discarded metal.
The Changi Cross, an iconic symbol of the chapel, was fashioned from a spent artillery shell casing.
Many internees practiced 'Changi University,' a system where prisoners taught subjects ranging from languages to engineering to maintain morale.
The museum holds a collection of Changi Murals, painted by British prisoner Stanley Warren, which are located in a nearby restricted military site.
Several exhibits include personal effects recovered from 'The Changi Murals' area and other sites within the historical Changi footprint.
The Changi Chapel and Museum documents the experiences of prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945. It is situated on the site of the former Changi Prison, which held over 50,000 soldiers and civilians. The museum features a replica of the chapel constructed by prisoners, alongside personal artifacts, drawings, and oral history testimonies. Exhibits are organized into eight thematic zones that trace the timeline from the fall of Singapore to the eventual liberation. The facility serves as a memorial to those who suffered and died under harsh internment conditions. Visitors can view original items including makeshift medical tools, clandestine radio equipment, and handwritten journals. It functions as a research repository for descendants seeking information about family members held in the camp. The site prioritizes historical accuracy regarding the resistance and resilience shown by internees during the conflict.
The replica Changi Chapel, which offers the most poignant architectural view within the museum grounds.
Download the official museum audio guide via the mobile app before arrival for a self-guided experience.
Read the stories behind the artifacts in the 'Survival' zone to understand the resourcefulness of the prisoners.
Allow time to watch the short documentaries played in the gallery spaces for context on the oral history segments.
Do not treat the museum as a standard sightseeing attraction; the material is somber and requires a serious mindset.
Closed on Mondays, except for public holidays.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor throughout the galleries; photography is permitted without flash, though restricted in certain marked areas.
