Old church marks spread of Catholicism in Jiading
By Liu Jingxian and Wang Jie |
August 28, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GONGBAOQIAO Catholic Church, located at 99 Zhongxiatang Street in Jiading Town, was originally named Zhuxin Hall.
French Jesuits built the church in 1864, which occupied an area of 2,000 square meters.
Local people would like to call it Gongbaoqiao Catholic Church because there is a bridge called Gongbao on its north spanning across the Qilian River. In Chinese qiao means bridge.
The spread of Catholicism in Jiading dates back to the Wanli Period (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
In 1620, Sun Yuanhua from Jiading became a Catholic in Beijing.
Later he invited Western missionaries to spread Catholicism in Jiading and established a Catholic Center there. Sun also sponsored the building of a Catholic church and a school.
During that period, there were about 400 Catholics in Jiading.
Later Ming and Qing (1644-1911) governments prohibited Catholicism from time to time. It was not until the Tongzhi Period (1861-1875) of the Qing Dynasty that the then Chinese government signed an agreement with France allowing French missionaries to purchase land and build churches in the country after China lost the Opium War.
Gongbaoqiao Catholic Church was built during that period. Originally the church resembled the residential style of southern China.
In 1932, Father Shen Guifang dismantled the old church and rebuilt it in Gothic style.
In 1991, it was renovated and expanded while retaining its original architectural style.
In 2005, the church was renovated again.
Today, occupying an area of 1,500 square meters, the two-story church features arched windows, a hanging cross and a sharp-angled ceiling.
French Jesuits built the church in 1864, which occupied an area of 2,000 square meters.
Local people would like to call it Gongbaoqiao Catholic Church because there is a bridge called Gongbao on its north spanning across the Qilian River. In Chinese qiao means bridge.
The spread of Catholicism in Jiading dates back to the Wanli Period (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
In 1620, Sun Yuanhua from Jiading became a Catholic in Beijing.
Later he invited Western missionaries to spread Catholicism in Jiading and established a Catholic Center there. Sun also sponsored the building of a Catholic church and a school.
During that period, there were about 400 Catholics in Jiading.
Later Ming and Qing (1644-1911) governments prohibited Catholicism from time to time. It was not until the Tongzhi Period (1861-1875) of the Qing Dynasty that the then Chinese government signed an agreement with France allowing French missionaries to purchase land and build churches in the country after China lost the Opium War.
Gongbaoqiao Catholic Church was built during that period. Originally the church resembled the residential style of southern China.
In 1932, Father Shen Guifang dismantled the old church and rebuilt it in Gothic style.
In 1991, it was renovated and expanded while retaining its original architectural style.
In 2005, the church was renovated again.
Today, occupying an area of 1,500 square meters, the two-story church features arched windows, a hanging cross and a sharp-angled ceiling.
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