Wanjin Catholic Church Introduction
The Wan Jin Catholic Church began in 1861 when Spanish Dominican priest Father Gerardo came to Taiwan. In 1863, he started constructing the first earthen chapel. During this period, the church frequently experienced fires and damage from earthquakes, leading to collapses. It wasn't until 1869 that Father Liáng Fāngjì, with the support of local parishioners, purchased a tract of forest land and built the current Wan Jin Basilica of Our Lady, modeled after Spanish castle architecture. The materials used for the construction included lime, gravel, kapok fiber, fire bricks, brown sugar, and honey, without any steel reinforcement; however, the main structure is incredibly solid. The facade features a twin-tower design reminiscent of Spanish fortresses, and between the two towers is a gable adorned with a traditional horse saddle motif, topped with a cross. The gable is decorated with a crown and the emblem of the Dominican Order above and below. Inside the basilica, the ceiling murals, side carvings, rear loft, pulpit, and the Virgin Mary’s palanquin are made of wood, blending both Eastern Chinese and Western Gothic styles. In 1874, during an inspection of the southern region, Qing Dynasty official Shen Baozhen passed by the Wan Jin Basilica of Our Lady, witnessing the harmony and unity among the local residents and parishioners. He recognized the power of religion to promote societal manners and eliminate ethnic prejudices. As a result, he petitioned Emperor Tongzhi to grant the title "By Imperial Order" along with a "Holy Stone" for the church, which was embedded above the front of the basilica, resulting in military personnel paying special respects when passing by. The exterior of the Wan Jin Basilica has undergone several renovations to achieve its current style, such as transforming the horse saddle gable to a peaked design, relocating the bell tower to the center of the gable, changing the parapets from a cross-lattice style to a railing style, and converting the wooden structure inside to reinforced concrete. The main hall's ceiling was enhanced with traditional Chinese decorative paintings, and the columns were painted a noticeable red. Understanding the renovation process of the Wan Jin Catholic Church is tantamount to witnessing the history of Christianity's introduction to Taiwan. Throughout its missionary journey, the church faced countless acts of hostility and challenges, resulting in a cycle of destruction and reconstruction. In 1984, Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Wan Jin Basilica of Our Lady as a "Pontifical Basilica." The same year, the Ministry of the Interior designated it as a Grade III historic site and the third cultural heritage site of Pingtung County, allowing Wan Jin Catholic Church to continue its mission of historical preservation.
