1935
On 30 July, the first of many Redemptorists, Fr Aloysius John Brennan, arrives in Singapore along with Frs. James Green, John Moran, Thomas Borthistle, Bros. Denis and Felix. Their first house was 339 Thomson Road the current Thomson Medical Centre.
1941
World War II broke out in Singapore. After the war a house at 418 Thomson Road was rented opposite the Old Police Academy now.
1948
Later the same year, the present property at 300 Thomson Road was procured. The first mass was celebrated there on 31 July.
1949
The first Novena devotions began. In the month of January, it was started in the chapel with an attendance of about 80 people.
1950
Work began for the building of a new church. The Church is named after the Founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus. The Church came to be more popularly known as Novena Church. The area surrounding the church began using the name Novena to identify its location. The surrounding area has come to be known as Novena because of the Novena Devotions. Over the years it was expanded to fit the growing number of devotees. Even with pews added to the verandas, the attendance at the Novena sessions and masses spill into the courtyards. By the early 1990s, 15,000 devotees or more were attending the ten sessions every Saturday until…
2014
…the redevelopment of the Church started in October 2014.
2017
In September, the Novena Church redevelopment was completed. The Official Opening and Blessing of the Church was held on 25 October 2017.