Kingsmead Hall was officially opened on 22 November 1954 as a hostel for tertiary students. It has also been home to the only Jesuit community in Singapore from the very start. In 1988, the hostel at Kingsmead Hall was closed and in its place, the Jesuits opened the Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling (now known as Kingsmead Centre) and the Jesuit novitiate. Since January 2011, Kingsmead Hall has also been the curia or headquarters of the Malaysia and Singapore Jesuits.

Almost all of Kingsmead Hall is still in its original state. With more than 70 years of wear and tear, the building has become unfit for the Jesuits' residence, ministry activities and community needs. The few piecemeal touch ups – painting the external walls 15 years ago and minor renovations to reconfigure the centre in 2013 – do not hide the state of disrepair. The Kingsmead Project will address the needs and the changes to be made.

Three main areas need addressing:

1. The physical structure: The building itself is neither safe for dwelling nor practical for use: the roof leaks and in heavy rain it floods inside the building; supporting trusses and beams are rusty and termite-infested; the plumbing, including water and sewerage pipes, is corroded; and the electrical systems are obsolete and blackouts are common. All need upgrading and replacement. Maintenance is costly. As the changes have to serve us for the long term, they would have to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.
2. The Jesuits' needs: The Jesuit residence was designed to house four or five people, but we now have more than twice that number. It is cramped. Our kitchen, living and dining rooms are small and ill-equipped. We are all also getting older, some faster than others. The layout and fittings work against us, especially for those who have physical disabilities or are ill. There is no infirmary for the sick or the elderly.
3. Shared ministry space: Kingsmead Hall and its resources serve the mission of the Jesuits and that of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. It also serves the parish as it is both a Jesuit apostolate and part of the archdiocese. In order to support the sacramental, spiritual and corporal needs of our communities, the shared space needs to be redesigned and structured for optimal use that would benefit all the parties we serve.

There is so much to be done to Kingsmead Hall to enable us to honour our heritage as we foster our future. I for one would like to see a chapel that is conducive for prayer and reflection and the celebration of Mass with proper seats and pews for up to 100 people. If we had a multi-purpose hall, we could configure it to be a venue for wedding receptions or set up as an auditorium for talks and conferences. These are just two of the many ideas for the parish which The Kingsmead Project Committee will be considering along with the needs of the Jesuits and the archdiocese. We know the changes that Kingsmead Hall needs will not come cheaply and are thankful for all the support that is being given so generously.