Aside from its Buddhist and Daoist temples and mosques, Beijing also has numerous historic churches. Many were demolished and rebuilt several times over the past few centuries as they fell victim to earthquakes, fires and popular revolts. Today, some are caught in-between global and Chinese religious administrations.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Xuanwumen Church or South Church (Nantang), is the oldest Catholic church in Beijing. It was built in 1605 during the Ming dynasty. When Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci arrived in Beijing, the Wanli Emperor allowed him to build a small chapel next to his residence by the Xuanwumen city gate.

The church was expanded and became a cathedral in 1690, when Beijing received its first Catholic bishop. A decade later it was enlarged and renovated into a European-style building.

Gangwashi Church

Gangwashi Church is a Protestant church that was built during the 1860s with sponsorship from the London Missionary Society. Its name can be translated into Crock and Tile Market Church.

The church was rebuilt in 1903, and in 1922 it merged with China Christian Church. The church holds masses in Chinese and English, as well as a Korean mass on Sunday afternoons. On a recent Saturday, Chinese worshippers were singing on stage in the church’s main hall, while in a back room, a small group of foreigners were holding Bible study.

St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph’s Church, also known as Wangfujing Church or East Cathedral (Dongtang), is the second-oldest Catholic church in Beijing. It was built in 1655 by Jesuit missionaries on land donated by the Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

In 1904, the church was rebuilt in its current Romanesque Revival style. It was used as a middle school in the 1950s and closed during the Cultural Revolution. Today, the church is managed by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, a state association that supervises China’s Catholics.

Statues and icons of St. Joseph holding infant Jesus are displayed both inside and outside the church.

Source: beijingtoday.com.cn