Yilan Card Church Introduction
The historical roots of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan trace back to 1865, when British doctor Mackay arrived in southern Taiwan, and in 1872, Canadian Presbyterian Dr. Mackay came to northern Taiwan to conduct medical missionary work. During the politically and economically troubled times in Taiwan, the church provided local residents with substantial medical, educational, and spiritual support, becoming a center of faith in many areas. The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan entered the I-Wan community in 1950, where individuals like Zhu Lan Mei converted from other denominations. At that time, there were also evangelists Chen Zhi Feng and Pastor Lin Chuan Ming assisting with the church's mission work. As the congregation grew, the family gathering places became unable to accommodate the attendees. Therefore, the next year, the congregation decided to independently fund the construction of a chapel, which was completed in 1953 with a cement and tile roof. In 1974, a typhoon damaged the original church structure, prompting plans for a new church. The current church, designed by Mr. Lai Ming De, is a brick bungalow, constructed in the style of a small European countryside church, with a white exterior as the main visual base and a Gothic-style roof. Crosses and angel sculptures are placed at the roof peaks and on either side of the main entrance. Another story suggests that during discussions about the church's exterior, Mr. Lai Ming De presented small cards he had collected in his childhood, and the church's design was based on those card patterns, leading to its name and making it one of the most architecturally colorful churches along the eastern coastline. In 2003, it was designated as a "Historical Building" by the Taitung County Government. As its reputation grew, more people began visiting the I-Wan community at the northern end of Chenggong Township to glimpse the Card Church. It attracted domestic directors to film on location; in August 2012, a local musician from Chenggong, known as "Reed," named their new album "The Bell of the Card Church," with the album cover designed by internationally renowned designer Xiao Qing Yang, drawing inspiration from the church's appearance, which also won the award for "Best Album Packaging" that year, adding a touch of art and romance to the Card Church.
