St. Paul's Church was originally built in 1521. In D閏adas da 羢ia; the seminal work of the Portuguese chronicler; Jo鉶 de Barros; the original structure was a simple chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The chapel was built by a Portuguese fidalgo or nobleman; Duarte Coelho; as an act of gratitude following his escape from a storm in the South China Sea.

The chapel was deeded to the Society of Jesus in 1548 by the Bishop of Goa; Jo鉶 Afonso de Albuquerque; with the title deeds received by St. Francis Xavier. The chapel was then further enlarged in 1556 with the addition of a second floor; and a belfry tower was added in 1590. The chapel was then renamed the Igreja de Madre de Deus (Church of the Mother of God).

A burial vault was opened in 1592 and many people of distinction were buried there; including Pedro Martins; the second Bishop of Funay; Japan.

With the conquest of Malacca by the Dutch in 1641; the church was reconsecrated for Dutch Reformed use as St. Paul's Church also known as the Bovernkerk or High Church. Pictures From Asia David Henley