Kong Dong High School Chapel Building Introduction
Gong Dong High School, planned and established by Father Jean-Baptiste (Bishop of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of Paris) in 1957, was one of the most important missions of the White Fathers when they first came to Taiwan. Its main goal was to assist youth from the remote Hualien-Taitung area in finding better starting points for life development through vocational education while also cultivating the human resources needed for the development of Taiwan's industry. Gong Dong High School is known for its rigorous teaching methods. In its first decade, the educational instruction was mainly conducted by 15 Swiss technicians, utilizing teaching materials and methodologies imported from Europe, which has led Gong Dong High School to become one of the most renowned institutions in Taiwan's vocational education sector, nurturing many skilled talents and receiving numerous international awards. In addition to its prominent reputation in recent years, the architecture on campus reflects the White Fathers' emphasis and careful planning in establishing Gong Dong High School. They specifically hired architect Dr. Justurs Dahinden from Switzerland to collaborate closely with structural engineer Dr. Schubiger, creating remarkable school buildings with outstanding architectural forms. Their unique panel structure design and well-coordinated architectural planning reduced the amount of steel reinforcement used to only half of what is typically used in conventional buildings, which was a profound approach during an era when construction materials were scarce and extremely expensive. Among the three initial campus buildings, the Chapel Building is particularly noteworthy. The small chapel at the top of the building makes full use of pitched roofs, walls sprayed with rough-faced cement, light streaming dramatically through the axial ceiling and walls adorned with colored glass, creating a space that is heavy, dark, filled with religious symbolism, and contemplative. This design rivals the spatial techniques of renowned architect Le Corbusier in the Chapel at Ronchamp and La Tourette Monastery. Once completed, the campus quickly became the focus of local architects' attention, even earning a place in the professional magazine "Architecture." In recent years, some academic papers have explored and analyzed this building as a theme. Additionally, professional photographers have created rich photographic books featuring the Chapel Building and Father Blais, making it a well-known pilgrimage site in the architectural community. Its unique characteristics and historical background led to the Chapel Building being registered as a historical building in 2003. Gradually, it has also become a spot for travelers to include in their visits while traveling in Taitung!
