Taiwan Presbyterian Church Dadaocheng Church Introduction
The Taiwan Presbyterian Church Dadaocheng was built on donated land by the important figure in Taiwan's modern history, Mr. Lee Chun-Sheng. The church is located in the old Dadaocheng area, and its architectural style is said to be inspired by the churches built by Western missionaries in the Xiamen area of Fujian. It showcases elegance and aims to promote religious doctrines; the main structure is made of solid bricks, built with high-quality red bricks from the early Taisho era, and the construction quality is excellent. The façade is adorned with artistic decorations that combine both Chinese and Western characteristics. Due to the conservative social customs of the time, men and women sat separately in the chapel, entering and exiting from the left and right entrances. These various characteristics reflect the development of Christianity in the Taipei area from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Although the architectural style of this historic building imitates Western church designs, the pebble wash decoration on the façade presents traditional Taiwanese patterns, blending Chinese and Western styles. The architectural scale is both dignified and approachable, showcasing its unique features. It is considered rare in modern Taiwanese architecture and has received high praise in the heritage community, being listed as the 100th historic site in Taipei City. Inside the church, there is also a "musical bell" composed of 25 bells of various sizes, which plays music every day at noon, alternating among seven different bell sounds. If you happen to pass by, it’s worth stopping to listen! After appreciating the beauty of the Dadaocheng Church's architecture, you can also visit the nearby Cisheng Temple and the snack street! (Some content is excerpted from the Taipei City Cultural Affairs website)
