Pandeng Church Introduction
Taiwan currently has three ship-shaped churches, including the PanDing Church located in the Longjing District of Taichung City; the Gala Church located in the Lala Mountain, Fuxing Township, Taoyuan County; and the Zhangyuan Church located in Zhangyuan Village, Changbin Township, Taitung County. The PanDing Church in Longjing District is a remarkably well-preserved building. The outer walls of the ship's cabin are colored sky blue on the outer ring and white in the middle. The exterior is painted with Mediterranean blue and white, reflecting the sky, resembling a giant ship sailing on the sea. Its unique and striking appearance has quickly made it one of the popular attractions in the area. Nestled in the alleys of the Tunghai University commercial district, the PanDing Church is another uniquely styled church in the Taichung coastal area, following the Tunghai University Si-Yi Church. Completed in 1983, the church’s unique ship-like design is based on the biblical story of Noah's Ark. The designs on the walls, including ship anchors and lanterns, correspond with biblical themes. The eye-catching building, combined with its sailboat-shaped exterior, makes the main structure of the PanDing Church resemble Noah's Ark, providing visiting faithful a particularly comforting atmosphere. Nearly thirty years after its completion, the PanDing Church, dominated by bright blue and white tones, conveys a sense of openness and tranquility, with garden landscaping thoughtfully related to Noah's Ark.
