Da Qiao Church (Former Site of Fangxi Church) Introduction
During the Sino-French War, a wave of anti-foreign sentiment swept through Taiwanese society, leading to the demolition of Dr. Mackay's church by rioters. The Fangxi Church was one of the four spire chapels built in 1885 through negotiations led by Dr. Mackay, using 10,000 taels of silver compensation from Governor Liu Mingchuan. Dr. Mackay regarded Fangxi Church as the most beautiful stone church among the many chapels he designed. In 1915, due to an increase in worshippers, the church became overcrowded, and Elder Li Chunsheng donated funds to build a new chapel in Dadaocheng, resulting in the transfer of Fangxi Church’s congregants to the new location and the church being renamed Dadaocheng Church. The old site of Fangxi was subsequently rented out for use as a Japanese language school and a cake factory, after which it remained vacant until the 1950s. Mrs. Sun Liren noticed the abandoned site and encouraged the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to rebuild there. Ultimately, a new church was completed in 1956 and began holding services, named Daqiao Church. The church building has undergone numerous reconstructions, and today only the northern building and outer stone wall remain of the original Fangxi Church, serving as the only physical testimony of Dr. Mackay's missionary work in Northern Taipei. The thick stone walls made from Kili'an rock and the classical-style pointed arch windows and doors are still visible. Additionally, on the southern side, Roman-column-style railings and vases, built using the wash-stone method during the factory era, as well as railings made from clear red bricks can be seen. Next time you pass by, consider stepping inside to see these cultural buildings that have weathered the test of time.
