Holy Cross Church Introduction
In the 17th century, the Spaniards brought the Catholic faith to Taiwan, but the missionary work temporarily halted with the arrival of the Dutch, who practiced Protestantism. In 1859, Father Paul Goe, from the Dominican Order's Rosary Province, continued this legacy and officially began the history of the Catholic Church in Taiwan by establishing the first church in Kaohsiung. It was not until 1953, through the dedicated efforts of Fathers Liang Ya and Du Mingde, that Catholicism took root in the city of Ah Kou. The two priests initially set up a chapel in an old house on Yongfu Road; as the congregation grew, the Dominicans decided in 1959 to purchase land on Gongyuan Road. After ten years of challenges, the present-day chapel was finally completed. Coinciding with the Catholic celebration of the "Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross," it was named "Holy Cross Church." The church's exterior features a pebble finish that is simple and dignified, embodying the Catholic Church's consistent spirit of simplicity. Inside, there are statues of the Crucified Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph, and the spacious area can accommodate hundreds of people for sermons. Grand celebrations are held annually for Easter, the church festival in September, and Christmas in December.
