This catholic church in the Providence district is the only one in Phnom Penh, which has not been destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. Nobody knows why it survived, while all other catholic buildings have been levelled. After the Khmer Rouge era people returned to Phnom Penh and took any roof which could provide shelter and any kind of accommodation and also this church has been used as residence area. Until nowadays the church has not its original function, but still private makeshifts (apartments) built with bricks, wood and plywood are developing under the ancient roof. And on the outside shops are invading through the walls. It is a unique characteristic in Phnom Penh, that most buildings have not acquired the original function after 1979. Jean-Michel Filippi describes it as “The sacred and the profane” in his book “Strolling around Phnom Penh”.
Providence Church
