Official name: Lebuh Bishop
English name: Bishop Street
Hokkien name: 順德公司街 Sūn-tek kong-si-ke (West of King Street), 呂宋禮拜堂前 Lū-sòng lé-pài-tn̂g-tsêng (King Street – Penang Street), 漆木街 Tshat-bok-ke / 柴工街 Tshâ-kang-ke (East of Penang Street)
Story of the Street
Bishop Street’s name is derived from the presbytery of the Catholic bishop which was located there. Bishop Garnault had arrived on Penang Island at the invitation of Captain Francis Light, who sent a ship, the Speedwell to fetch him and a group of Eurasians.
The character of Bishop Street can be divided into two groups. Towards Beach Street, it leans towards the European merchantile trade. There was an obvious spillover of European commercial activities from Beach Street. By the early 20th century, Bishop Street had one of the premiere shopping arcades of George Town, with buildings such as Whiteways & Laidlaws, Pritchards and the Merchantile Bank of India (which now houses De Silva’s jewellery shop). Sandwiched, almost like an odd one out, within the European businesses is the Cantonese district association of San Wooi Wooi Koon, its clan temple located a good distance away from the hustle and hustle of the street.
For the local Chinese community, the name of Bishop Street is separated into three sections. Towards the east of King Street is 順德公司街 Sūn-tek kong-si-ke which is literally Soon Teik Association Street. The section from King Street to Penang Street is 呂宋禮拜堂前 Lū-sòng lé-pài-tn̂g-tsêng which means ‘in front of the Armenian church’ which used to be there. And finally the East of Penang Street is named as 漆木街 Tshat-bok-ke and 柴工街 Tshâ-kang-ke which is the lacquerer’s street and carpenter’s street.
