Kong Tung High School Chapel Building Introduction
Established in 1957 by Father P. J. G. Leclercq from the Catholic White Fathers (officially known as the Society of African Missions), Kington Vocational High School was one of the important missions of the White Fathers in their early days of evangelizing in Taiwan. The main goal was to assist youth from remote areas of Hualien and Taitung by providing vocational education, which would help them find better opportunities for life development and contribute to the development of human resources needed for industrial growth in Taiwanese society. Kington Vocational High School has a rigorous teaching approach, with the first ten years primarily taught by 15 Swiss technicians, using materials and teaching methods introduced from Europe. This established Kington as one of the most renowned institutions in Taiwan's vocational education sector, producing numerous talented individuals who have achieved expertise and won international awards. In addition to its increasing reputation in vocational education in recent years, the campus architecture also reflects the importance and caution the White Fathers placed on the school's establishment. They specifically hired architect Dr. Justurs Dahinden from Switzerland, who collaborated seamlessly with structural engineer Dr. Schubiger, creating outstanding school buildings. The unique panel structure design and well-coordinated architectural planning resulted in the use of only half the amount of steel reinforcement compared to typical buildings, demonstrating foresight during a time when construction materials were scarce and extremely expensive. Among the three early campus buildings, the chapel building is particularly noteworthy. The small church on the upper floor makes full use of a sloped roof, rough cement walls, and a combination of natural light and colored glass creating a heavy, dim, and contemplative sacred space filled with religious symbolism. Its spatial treatment rivals that of famous architect Le Corbusier in the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut and the La Tourette Monastery. After completion, the campus quickly became the focus of attention for local Taiwanese architects, with its prominence even featured in the professional magazine "Architecture." In recent years, some students have analyzed this architecture in their theses, and professional photographers have created rich photographic books about the chapel building and Father Leclercq. As a result, the chapel building has become a well-known pilgrimage site in the architectural community. Its unique qualities and historical background led to its registration as a historical building in 2003, gradually making it a must-visit attraction for travelers to Taitung!
