Yilan Card Church Introduction
The history of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan can be traced back to 1865 when British doctor John Dodd arrived in southern Taiwan, and in 1872 when Canadian Presbyterian missionary George Leslie Mackay came to northern Taiwan to conduct medical missions. During Taiwan's politically and economically difficult and impoverished times, the church provided local residents with significant medical, educational, and spiritual support, becoming a center of faith in many communities. The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan was introduced to the Yilan community in 1950, with individuals such as Zhu Lanmei converting from other denominations. At that time, there were also missionary workers like Chen Zhifeng and Pastor Lin Chuanming assisting with evangelism. As the congregation grew, the space for family gatherings became insufficient for those attending services. Therefore, the next year, church members decided to build a chapel with their own resources, and in 1953, a chapel with a cement-tiled roof was completed. In 1974, a typhoon damaged the original church structure, prompting plans for a new church building. The current church, designed by Mr. Lai Ming-te, is a brick bungalow that resembles a European countryside church. The main visual feature is its white exterior, with a Gothic-style roof, and crosses and angel sculptures at the tips of the roof and on either side of the main entrance. Another account suggests that during discussions about the church’s exterior, Mr. Lai referred to a collection of small cards from his childhood to create the architectural blueprint, thus earning its nickname. It is one of the most architecturally distinctive churches along the east coast. In 2003, it was designated as a "historic building" by the Taitung County government. With its growing popularity, more and more people visit the Yilan community in the northern part of Chenggong Township to glimpse the Card Church. It not only attracts domestic filmmakers to shoot scenes there; in August 2012, a local musician from Chenggong named "Luhui" even named his new album "The Bells of the Card Church." The album cover was designed by internationally renowned designer "Hsiao Ching-yang," who based it on the church's exterior, winning the award for "Best Album Packaging" that year, which added a touch of culture and romance to the Card Church.
