Zhiben Catholic Church Introduction
Zhiben Catholic Church originated in 1954 (the 43rd year of the Republic of China). Initially, it was a rented thatched house used as a preaching site. Later, land was purchased, and in 1956 (the 45th year of the Republic of China), Zhiben Catholic Church was built and named "Zhiben Immaculate Conception Church." Over time, it expanded to include a kindergarten and a Catholic youth center. The church was renovated, during which Father Zeng Jianchi of the Puyuma tribe integrated Puyuma culture into the architectural design of the church. The church features a reinforced concrete structure, and the decorative wood carvings represent the cultural characteristics of the Puyuma people. The main space of the church is made of stone slabs, with the edges of the altar carved with Puyuma totems. Surrounding the church are the Virgin Mary Pavilion, a monument to Father Fei Daohong, wood carvings, a stone story wall (depicting the history of the church and Puyuma mythology), and the Stations of the Cross landscape area, exemplifying the integration of indigenous culture with Western religion. Its precious value was registered as a historic building by the Taitung County Government in 2004. Upon entering the church, one cannot help but be attracted to the stone story wall. The intricately carved columns inside and outside the church are impressive, with the most eye-catching being the humanoid wooden carved seats, rich in Puyuma style and ingenuity. Whether or not one is a believer, the architectural ingenuity and cultural integration of Zhiben Catholic Church are absolutely breathtaking!
