Ilan Card Church Introduction
The history of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan can be traced back to 1865 when British doctor James Laidlaw Maxwell arrived in southern Taiwan, and in 1872 when Canadian missionary Dr. George Mackay went to northern Taiwan to engage in medical missionary work. During the politically and economically difficult and impoverished times in Taiwan, the church provided significant medical, educational, and spiritual support to the local residents, becoming a center of faith in many areas. The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan was introduced to the Iwan tribe in 1950, with individuals like Zhu Lanmei converting from other denominations. At that time, there were also assistance from Evangelist Chen Zhifeng and Pastor Lin Chuanming in evangelistic efforts. As the number of congregants steadily increased, the family gathering place could no longer accommodate the attendees. Thus, the following year, the congregants decided to independently raise funds and construct a chapel, which was completed in 1953 featuring a cement-tiled roof. In 1974, a typhoon damaged the original church building, leading to plans for a new church. The current church, designed by Mr. Lai Mingde, is a brick bungalow resembling a European countryside chapel, with a white exterior as the main visual base, a Gothic-style roof, and crosses and angel decorations positioned at the roof's peak and either side of the entrance. Another narrative suggests that during the discussion about the church's exterior, Mr. Lai Mingde referred to small cards he collected in his childhood, using them as a blueprint for the design. Therefore, it's often referred to as the "Card Church" and is one of the most architecturally distinctive churches along the east coast. In 2003, it was designated as a "Historical Building" by the Taitung County government. With increasing notoriety, more people visit the Iwan tribe at the northern end of Chenggong Township to glimpse the Card Church's features. It has not only attracted local directors for filming; in August 2012, local musician "Reed" from Chenggong Township named a new album "The Bell Sound of the Card Church," with the album cover designed by internationally renowned designer "Hsieh Ching-yang," inspired by the church's appearance, earning the award for "Best Album Packaging" that year, adding a touch of artistry and romance to the Card Church.
