60 km south west of Siem Reap town is the small village of Taom where one finds a large circa-1910 church. Through decades of unrest in both Cambodia and Vietnam, the huge Catholic community disappeared and the church was abandoned in ruins in 1970. But in 2004 the leaders of the village returned the old church to the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. Since then, regular liturgies and catechism have been restored, and a was Learning Center built behind the old church for the kindergarten and rice-soup program that have been established for poor children in Taom, An Long Sar and Botrong. Currently, there are two catechists for 5 villages and four teachers in preschool and catch-up classes in Khmer and English literacy. Elderly women staff work in the rice soup program for school children. All these help to rekindle the faith of the community in this once deserted church.
Photo of the Community at the altar before the Renovation
In January 2019, under the supervision and planning of Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ, parish priest of Taom Catholic Church at that time received support from Mdme Bernadette Chow Yoke Keng to repair the Church. The repair lasted for many months because of the Covid pandemic. On September 25, 2022, the church was inaugurated in the presence of the donor Mdme Yoke Keng.
Read this Post: Taom Church Inaugurated
Read this Post: Taom Suspension Bridge Inaugurated
Read this Post: Photos: BEFORE and AFTER Renovation
Programs and Activities
1. Masses
2. Kindergarten
3. Remedial class
4. Rice Soup Program
5. Health Education
6. Dance class
Church Location and Contact Details
Phum Taom, Khum Prasat
Srok Preahnet Preah
Banteay Meanchey Province
- Priest in Charge
Fr. Glenn B. Diaz, MHM
Mobile: +855 96 216 6786
Email: glennbibero@gmail.com - Parish Lay Contact
Mr. Thoem Thon
Mobile: 012 375 110
Email: thoemthon@hotmail.com
Catholic Church in Siem Reap and Satellite Communities 