Father Johannes (Ferdinandus) Van Loon OFM Cap, arrived in Medan from Holland on 20 August, 1912 and was asked to look after the religious needs of the Tamil Community and was eventually appointed Pastor for the care of the Tamil Catholic scattered in the plantations.
In order to be effective in his apostolate, he stated learning Tamil Language and went to Penang to improve his Tamil in 1913. After spending several months in Penang he returned to Medan at the end of July 1913 and gave his heart and soul to the care of his beloved flock. After serving the Tamil Catholic families scattered in the plantations, Father Van Loon established a mission station in Medan town by bringing together as many Tamil Catholic families from the plantations to Kampung Kristen.
