Mountain Top Church Introduction
Taiwan currently has three boat-shaped churches, including the Panding Church, located in Longjing District, Taichung City; the Gala Church, situated in Lala Mountain, Fuxing Township, Taoyuan County; and the Zhangyuan Church, found in Zhangyuan Village, Changbin Township, Taitung County. The Panding Church in Longjing District is a well-preserved building, with the outer wall of the boat cabin painted sky blue around the edges and white in the center. The exterior walls are adorned with Mediterranean-style blue and white, reflecting the sky, resembling a giant ship sailing on the sea. Its unique and eye-catching appearance has quickly made it one of the popular attractions in the area. Nestled within the alleys of the Tung Hai University commercial district, the Panding Church is another uniquely designed church in the Taichung coastal area, following the Tung Hai Road Church of the Sacred Heart. Completed in 1983, the church's unique boat-shaped design is inspired by the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible, with elements like the anchor and lanterns on the walls all reflecting biblical themes. The striking architecture, combined with the sailboat-shaped outer walls, makes the Panding Church resemble Noah's Ark, offering a sense of comfort to the visiting faithful. After nearly thirty years since its completion, the Panding Church, with its bright blue and white theme, creates an airy and tranquil atmosphere, and its landscaping is also related to the Ark, displaying thoughtful creativity.
