Xincheng Catholic Church Introduction
Hidden among the alleys of Xincheng Township, the Catholic Church resembles Noah's Ark in its shape. Notably, it was originally the Xincheng Shrine during the Japanese colonial period, embodying the architecture of two different faiths that have merged due to historical evolution and the wisdom of the priests. When you reach Xincheng Park and see the archway (the first torii gate of the shrine), turn left and walk straight to the end, and you will find the second torii gate of the shrine, which reads "Catholic Church." From the torii gate, you can gaze down the worship path lined with lush vegetation, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere, complemented by red stone lanterns standing beside the pathway. In front of the ship-shaped church, the walls are covered with vines, creating a lush green ambiance. Stone lanterns stand on both sides, with a cross faintly visible above. Continuing forward, you will arrive at the third torii gate of the shrine's ruins. Besides the stone lanterns, there are also guardian lion-dogs on both sides of the torii gate, lending a distinctly Japanese flavor to the shrine's architecture. Passing through the torii, you will reach the original shrine's main hall, which has been transformed into a pavilion for the Virgin Mary, featuring a statue of the Virgin, surrounded by several old pine trees soaring towards the sky, creating a very tranquil environment. The Xincheng Catholic Church was built in 1956 on the original site of the shrine, and its overall architectural beauty is said to be the finest in the eastern region. The long windows on both sides of the ship-shaped church are adorned with stained glass, arranged neatly in rows, 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 located at the back right, which was originally a stone for washing hands and cleansing the body and mind, now housing holy water in the eyes of the believers, while a small confession area can be found on the left. Due to history, these two different faiths have come together in architecture. Here, you can witness the coexistence of torii gates and stone lanterns from the Japanese shrine alongside the cross and statue of the Virgin Mary from the Catholic Church, radiating a calming and peaceful presence.
