Holy Cross Church Introduction
In the 17th century, the Spanish brought the Catholic faith to Taiwan, but the missionary work was temporarily halted with the arrival of the Dutch, who adhered to Protestantism. In 1859, Father Kuo Te-kang of the Dominican Order's Rosary Province took up the mantle and officially began the history of the Catholic Church in Taiwan by establishing the first church in Kaohsiung. In 1953, with the diligent efforts of Fathers Liang Ya and Du Ming-de, the Catholic Church established a presence in Ah Koh City. The two priests first opened a chapel in an old building on Yongfu Road. As the number of believers grew, the Dominicans decided in 1959 to purchase land on Gongyuan Road. After ten years of setbacks, the current church was finally completed. Coinciding with the Catholic feast of the "Exaltation of the Holy Cross," it was named "Holy Cross Church." The church's exterior is paved with pebbles, showcasing a simple and solemn style that reflects the Catholic Church's consistent spirit of simplicity. Inside the church, there are statues of the Crucified Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph, with a spacious area that can accommodate hundreds of people for services. Every year, grand celebrations are held for Easter, the church feast in September, and Christmas in December.
