The origins of St. Anne's Sanctuary can be traced back to as far back as 1833, when Chinese and Indian migrant workers arrived from the Batu Kawan area in Penang. In 1840, Chinese Catholics settled at the foothills of Bukit Mertajam and worked in the farms and orchards. At that time, there was already an established parish in Batu Kawan. Thus, French missionaries from Batu Kawan came to Bukit Mertajam to minister to the Catholic families in the area. The Catholics in Bukit Mertajam then numbered about 190. Fr. Adolphe Couellan MEP was the first visiting priest, and it was not long later that he saw the need for a chapel. Consequently, he built one on top of the hill, about two kilometres from the town of Bukit Mertajam. The foundation and cornerstone of this first chapel can still be seen at its original site at St. Anne's Hill today. Today, an increasing number of pilgrims make their way to the minor basilica not only during the feast day of Saint Anne but also throughout the year. The Penang state government has also made the minor basilica an official tourist spot for the state. As such, people from different nationalities visit as tourists or pilgrims. All in all, the Minor Basilica of St. Anne has become an integral part of the town of Bukit Mertajam and we hope that our community will continue to grow and be nurtured by the endless blessings of God.

Daily Mass Monday - 7.00 AM (English Mass) Tuesday - 7.00 AM (English Mass) Wednesday - 7.00 AM (English Mass) Thursday - 7.00 AM (English Mass) Friday - 7.00 AM (English Mass) Weekend Mass Saturday 7.00 AM (Sunrise English Mass) 6.00 PM (Sunset English Mass) Sunday 8.00 AM (English Mass) 9.45 AM (Mandarin Mass) 11.30 AM (Tamil Mass)