Tamsui Church Introduction
Tamsui is the base for the development of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, with the greatest contribution coming from Dr. George Leslie Mackay of the Canada Presbyterian Church. After arriving in Tamsui on March 9, 1872, Dr. Mackay actively engaged in missionary work, learning the Minnan language and local culture. The house he rented served not only as a hospital but also as a place for evangelism. In 1873, he baptized the first group of believers; however, due to the lack of a church, these services took place in the rented residence. To expand his missionary efforts, he frequently led students to various locations for evangelism and established churches supervised by the students. Despite many challenges, he successfully spread the church throughout northern Taiwan, with the first church built in Wugu, and the Tamsui Church later converted from the residence of the Mackay Memorial Hospital's physicians, now designated as a county historic site. After Mackay's death in 1901, the church entered a new era. Due to practical and expansion needs, the church was rebuilt in 1915 in a North American style with brick white plaster walls, commonly referred to as the White Chapel, with a bell tower located above the main entrance. In 1928, due to inadequate space, a decision was made to rebuild. The funding for the construction came from donations by church members, students, and various congregations, with much of it sourced from Mackay's son, who applied for assistance from the Canadian mother church and personally designed and supervised the construction. The reconstruction was completed by September 3, 1933. The Tamsui Chapel features a neo-Gothic spire, buttresses, and pillar caps adorned with small peaks, constructed with clean bricks on the exterior, and features reinforced concrete columns and floors on the inside. The roof's large span is supported by a steel framework, with wooden panels used for the ceiling, and a tall bell tower on the left. In 1986, due to difficulties in maintaining traditional roof tiles, imported aluminum corrugated sheets were used for a comprehensive renovation, and traditional glass was replaced with stained glass. The church's facade showcases the Holy Trinity, while the bell tower represents the Christian doctrines of the "Five Loaves and Two Fish" and "Gethsemane Prayer." The church has harmonized with the scenic views of Tamsui, becoming a well-known tourist attraction.
