Xincheng Catholic Church Introduction
Nestled between the alleys of Xincheng Township, the church resembles Noah's Ark. Notably, its origins date back to the Shincheng Shrine during the Japanese colonial period, which embodies two distinct faiths within its architecture. Through historical evolution and the wisdom of the priests, these beliefs have blended together. Arriving at Xincheng Park and passing through the archway (originally the first torii of the shrine), turning left and walking straight will lead you to the second torii, inscribed with "Catholic Church." Looking down the worship path from the torii, on both sides, floral and leafy trees create a tranquil and elegant ambiance, with red stone lanterns standing by the path. In front of the boat-shaped church, the walls are covered in vines, full of greenery, with stone lanterns on either side, and a cross is faintly visible above. Continuing forward, you will arrive at the third torii of the shrine ruins; in addition to stone lanterns, the two sides of the torii still retain guardian dogs, presenting a distinctly Japanese shrine architecture. Passing through the torii and reaching the end, the original shrine has now been transformed into the Virgin Mary Pavilion, where a statue of the Virgin Mary stands in front, surrounded by several tall pines reaching toward the sky, creating a serene environment. The Xincheng Catholic Church was established on the original site of the shrine in 1956, and its overall architectural aesthetics are regarded as the best on the eastern side of Taiwan. The long windows on both sides of the boat-shaped church are adorned with stained glass, arranged neatly in rows, and the pebble-washed walls are tangled with vines. Inside the church, the decor is clean and simple yet solemn and sacred; on the right side at the back, there is a baptismal font, originally a washing stone for cleansing hands and body, now positioned within the church and seen by the faithful as holy water, while on the left is a small confession area. Because of history, two different faiths have intertwined in architecture, making this place a coexistence of the torii and stone lanterns of a Japanese shrine alongside the cross and statue of the Virgin Mary in the church, exuding a peaceful and tranquil power.
