Ten Gothic Catholic Churches in China

In the late Qing Dynasty, a large number of churches with western classical Gothic architectural style were built in China, many of which had a history of 100 years. This is also the witness of the blending of history and civilization at that time, which is of great research and commemorative value. Here are some specific strategies for you.

Gothic architecture originated in France in the12nd century. As an architectural style, it flourished at the peak and end of the Middle Ages. There are many pointed arches, towering spires and stained glass windows, and slender beams, flying arches and pointed rib vaults are often used to create a slender and light flying feeling.

Gothic architecture developed from Romanesque architecture and inherited by Renaissance architecture, often with a strong religious flavor. Its frame is novel, its appearance is magnificent and its interior space is spacious, which makes people feel pious.

Its stained glass windows are very eye-catching, with rich and colorful religious stories on them, which can play a role in promoting teachings to the public. It also enjoys a lofty position in the field of art, showing a strong sense of sadness, mystery and loftiness.

From the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, more and more western missionaries came to China to preach, and some cities also built Gothic Catholic churches.

Unlike traditional religious temples in China, which are keen to hide in famous mountains and rivers, Catholic churches often stand in crowded downtown areas. These exotic Gothic buildings are in sharp visual contrast with the traditional buildings in China, which also add unique charm to the city and show its unique charm.

With the development of the city, some churches have survived hundreds of years of hardships, witnessing the development history of modern cities and the context of urban architecture history.

Some have no religious function, some are in ruins, some are unknown, and some have become city business cards or punching places among network celebrities.

Walking in a strange city, a beautiful western Gothic building suddenly came into view. In a corner, it will be a romantic and pleasant thing, don't you think? Let's take a look at the Gothic Catholic churches all over China, walk into the nearest place to God and feel the sacredness and vicissitudes of the old buildings.

1. Shanghai Xujiahui Catholic Church

The official name is "St. ignatius Hall", which is located in Xujiahui. This church was built from 1904 to 19 10, which is a Gothic style in medieval France. The church is very big, 79 meters high and 28 meters wide. Brick and wood structure, covering an area of 2670, with a building area of 6670. The interior is ornate and magnificent, which can accommodate 3,000 people for religious activities at the same time. Known as "the first cathedral in the Far East" and "Vatican City in Shanghai".

2. Hongjialou Catholic Church in Jinan

The official name is "Hongjialou Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus", which is located in Licheng District, Jinan City, Shandong Province. This church was built in 190 1- 1905. Built by boxer indemnity's "The Treaty of Xin and Chou", with a building area of 2,600, it is a typical western Gothic architectural style. The structure of the church is reasonable and the details are exquisite, drawing lessons from the traditional folk culture of China. The facade is grand, majestic and spectacular. The main hall is tall, spacious and magnificent, and can accommodate thousands of people for religious activities at the same time.

3. Guangzhou Shishi Sacred Heart Cathedral

Yide Road, located in the center of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, was built in 1863- 1888, which belongs to Gothic architectural style. The church has a building area of 2,754 rooms, with a length of 78.67 meters from north to south, a width of 35 meters from east to west and a height of 58.5 meters. All the walls and columns are granite, which is the largest stone Catholic church in Southeast Asia. This church has all the elements of a Gothic church, which makes it a very pure medieval Catholic church in Europe and has the reputation of Notre Dame de Paris in the Far East. The environment inside and outside the church is beautiful and quiet. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

4. Shenyang Nanguan Catholic Church

The official name is "Sacred Heart Church of Jesus in Shenyang", which is located in Xiaonan Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. The church was originally built in 1878, but it was later burned down. Existing buildings were rebuilt on the original site in 19 12 with boxer indemnity's "Xin Chou Treaty". The church is 66 meters long from north to south, 0/7 meters wide from east to west and 40 meters high. Brick-concrete structure, construction area 1 100 m2. This is a typical Gothic building. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

5. Ningbo Jiangbei Catholic Church

Located in the Bund on the North Shore of Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, it was built from 1872 to 1899. The complex is complete and magnificent, with typical Roman Gothic architectural style. At the same time, influenced by the traditional architecture in China, it became an important example of the integration of Chinese and western architecture in the early days. The church witnessed the development history of Ningbo city after the opening of the "five-port trade" and made contributions to the formation of Jiangbei District. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

6. Beijing Xishiku Church

The Church of the Savior, commonly known as Beitang, is located in Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. Founded in 1693- 1703, Xi 'anmen Silkworm Pond was moved to its present site in 1887- 1900. The North Pavilion has a building area of 2,200 and a height of16.5m.. The spire of the bell tower is 3 1 m high, which is a typical Gothic architectural form. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

7. Tianjin Wanghailou Church

Formerly known as the Victory Hall of Notre Dame de Paris, it is located in Shizilin Street, Hebei District, Tianjin. The church was built in 1869, and was burnt down and rebuilt twice in the "Tianjin Religious Plan" and the Boxer Movement. Now, based on the prototype of "boxer indemnity", it was rebuilt at 1903, which almost became a landmark building in modern Tianjin history. This church is 47 meters long, 15 meters wide and 22 meters high. It is made of blue bricks and wood. This church has a European Gothic style. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

8. St. Mill Church in Qingdao

Also known as St. Emile Church, it is located in Zhejiang Road, Shinan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province. Built in 1932- 1934, the building area is 630 1 m2, and the bell tower is 60 meters high. The church is magnificent, simple and elegant, and its structure is a combination of granite and reinforced concrete, with Gothic architectural style. The hall is 18m high, spacious and bright, and can accommodate thousands of people. It is the only dedicated church in China. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

9. Jilin Catholic Church

The holy name of Jilin Catholic Church is "Sacred Heart Church of Jesus", which is located on the Songhua River in Songjiang Middle Road, Jilin City, Jilin Province. The church was built in 19 17 to 1926, which is a typical gothic architectural style. It consists of the main church and the bell tower, both of which are masonry arches. The church faces the Songhua River in the south, 33 meters long from north to south, 27 meters wide from east to west, 22 meters high in the ridge and 45 meters high in the middle tower. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

10. Weizhou Catholic Church

Weizhou Island Catholic Church is located in Weizhou Island, Beihai City, Guangxi Province, hidden in a forest of jackfruit and bananas. Because it is located in Tangsheng Village, it is also called Tang Sheng Catholic Church. The church was built in 1880. It is a Gothic building with a height of 2 1m and a total construction area of 774. Surrounded by low-rise residential buildings, it looks huge and imposing. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.