Xincheng Catholic Church Introduction
Hidden between the alleys of Xincheng Township, the Catholic Church resembles Noah's Ark. Notably, it was originally the Xincheng Shrine during the Japanese colonial period, incorporating two different religious architectures that evolved and harmonized through historical changes and the wisdom of priests. Upon arriving at Xincheng Park, after passing the archway (which was originally the first torii of the shrine), turn left and walk straight to the end to see the second torii inscribed with "Catholic Church." From the torii, looking at the worship path, trees and flowers on both sides are lush and serene, with red stone lanterns standing alongside the pathway. In front of the ship-shaped church, the walls are covered with vines, creating a lively green scene, while stone lanterns stand on both sides, with the cross visible above. Continuing forward, you will reach the third torii of the shrine ruins. Besides the stone lanterns, the lion-dog statues (komainu) on either side remain, showcasing the strong Japanese-style shrine architecture. Passing through the torii and walking to the end, the original shrine's main hall has been transformed into the Virgin Mary Pavilion, which houses a statue of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by several old pines reaching up to the sky, creating a tranquil environment. The Xincheng Catholic Church was built in 1956 on the original site of the shrine. The overall aesthetic of the building is considered the most beautiful in Eastern Taiwan, with long windows on both sides of the ship-shaped church adorned with stained glass, neatly arranged, while the pebble-washed walls are covered with vines. The interior of the church is clean and simple yet solemn and sacred, with a baptismal font on the right side at the back, originally a hand-washing stone for cleansing hands and body, now placed inside the church to become holy water in the eyes of worshippers. To the left is a small confession area. The history of these two different religious buildings merging together allows visitors to see the coexistence of the torii and stone lanterns of the Japanese shrine alongside the crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary of the Catholic Church, emanating a sense of peaceful tranquility.
