St. Joseph's Church Introduction
Hidden in the ancient streets of Cijin (Chihshan) is an elegant Gothic Revival building, St. Joseph's Church, which was commissioned by Father Giovanni Battista, a member of the Dominican order, and designed by an Italian architect in 1959 for the purpose of missionary work. The church is three stories high, with a soaring gable on the front displayed in a refined and elegant gray tone made of wash stone. Above the main facade, there is a statue of Jesus, flanked by two symmetrical high towers, complemented by arched windows and rose window reliefs. The intricate triangular walls and intersecting arched lines present the beauty of exquisite craftsmanship, while the side features continuous pointed arch windows that create a soaring visual effect. The church's altar houses a splendid and lifelike mural depicting stories of God and saints, enhanced by the lofty wooden beam structure, which adds a holy and ethereal atmosphere to this religious hall. The classical elegance of St. Joseph's Church earned the top spot in Kaohsiung County and the 21st place in Taiwan’s historical architecture selections during the 2001 Cultural Heritage Council event, making it a place worth savoring for lovers of historical buildings.
