Tamsui Chapel Introduction
Tamsui is the base for the development of the Presbyterian Church in North Taiwan, largely credited to Reverend George Mackay of the Canadian Presbyterian Church. After arriving in Tamsui on March 9, 1872, Dr. Mackay actively began his missionary work. He learned Min Nan (Hokkien) and local culture, and the rented house he used served as both a hospital and a place for missionary work. In 1873, he baptized the first batch of believers, but lacking a church, the ceremonies were held in the rented residence. To expand his mission, he often led students to preach in various places and established churches led by students. Despite many challenges, the church spread throughout northern Taiwan, with the first church located in Wugu. The Tamsui Church was later transformed from the physician's dormitory of the Mackay Hospital and is now a designated historical site. After Dr. Mackay's death in 1901, the church entered a new era. Due to practical needs and expansion, the church was rebuilt in 1915 in a North American style, featuring brick walls with white plaster, commonly referred to as the "White Chapel," with a bell tower above the main entrance. In 1928, due to insufficient capacity, a decision was made to rebuild. The funding for the construction came from donations by members, students, and various supporters, with most coming from Rev. Mackay's son, Mackay Hsiao-lian, who applied for subsidies from the Canadian mother church and personally designed and supervised the construction. The reconstruction was completed on September 3, 1933. The Tamsui Church features a Gothic-style spire with buttresses, adorned with small caps on the column heads, built with exposed bricks, and incorporates reinforced concrete columns and floors. The large span roof is supported by steel frames, with wooden boards forming the ceiling, and a tall bell tower on the left. In 1986, due to difficulties in maintaining traditional roof tiles, the roof was fully renovated with imported aluminum panels, and traditional glass was replaced with stained glass. The front façade of the church depicts the "Holy Trinity" of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while the bell tower illustrates the Christian doctrines of the "Five Loaves and Two Fish" and the "Agony in the Garden." The church has blended with the scenic views of Tamsui, becoming a famous tourist attraction.
