St. Joseph Cathedral (Tianjin)

St Joseph Cathedral

Façade of St Joseph's Catholic Church
Basic information
Location Xining Road, Heping District, Tianjin, China
Affiliation Roman Catholic
District Roman Catholic Diocese of Tianjin
Region Hebei Province of China
Status Active
Website www.tj-church.org
Architectural description
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Neo-Byzantine architecture
Completed 1913
Direction of façade Northeast
Capacity 1,500 people

St. Joseph Cathedral (Chinese: 圣若瑟主教座堂; pinyin: Shèng Ruòsè Zhǔjiào Zuòtáng), also known as the Xikai Church (Chinese: 西開堂; pinyin: Xikāi Táng), is a Roman Catholic church located in the central commercial district and former French concession of Tianjin, China. It is at the southern end of Binjiang Dao (滨江道) in Heping District. The cathedral is one of Tianjin’s protected historical relics.[1] The church was built in 1913 under the name of MG Church before it was renamed St. Joseph's Church. It is the largest Roman Catholic Church in Tianjin.

History

In 1912, the Holy See issued an edict, announced by Zhili Vicariate on behalf of the Northern Territory Zhili Vicariate. Tianjin’s Bishop House was located near the Sancha River in the Wanghailou Church, and the first bishop was Du Baolu.

In August 1913, construction began, and each brick had to be shipped from France. In June 1916, Xikai was completed and became the main cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tianjin. Afterward, Bishop Du Baolu opened the St. Joseph's Primary School (now Tianjin No. 21 Middle School). Since then the diocese also acquired a St. Joseph’s School of Law and the Catholic Hospital (now Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Tianjin).

At the start of construction, the French concession of Tianjin was ordered to station police in the area. On October 20, 1916, however, the French stationed police was forced to disarm by local Chinese police who detained the bridge and caused massive public protests in Tianjin. Later, the Sino-French people of the region maintained control. On August 23, 1966, the Red Guards attacked the area, during which three towers were destroyed and were not rebuilt until the 1980s.

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake also caused some damage. The two front shock towers at the base of the dome were severely damaged, and the repairs to the base did not begin until 1979. They were completed in the Fall of 1980 when the official opening was celebrated. In August 1991, August, Xikai was listed on Tianjin’s cultural relics protection list. As of today, the church is still the largest Catholic Church in the Tianjin province.

Architectural style

Inside Xikai Cathedral
Xikai Cathedral profile

Xikai is northern China’s largest Roman-style church, with an area of 1891.95 square meters and can accommodate 1,500 people. The giant dome has a "product" shape with a green copper surface on the outside, supported by a wood structure and topped with a bronze cross. At the time it was built, the bishop refused to install a lightning rod on the dome, but 50 years later it was added. However, 80 years later when the area became a commercial center for Tianjin, the church was no longer the tallest building and therefore no longer required a lightning rod. Xikai’s walls are checkered with red and yellow tiles and framed with white water masonry. Circular windows, columns, large indoor paintings, a large pipe organ, and semi-circular windows accent the building. The entrance consists of two doors in the back of Xikai, originally meant to allow men and women to enter through separate doors.

The interior of Xikai is based on French and Roman architecture styles. The long main hall is lined by 14 large columns (two rows of seven), leading to a gallery-style tee. The nave has a stacked composite side portico, supported by semi-circular tops. The tall central dome consists of an octagonal drum roof that complements the octagonal windows throughout the church. Its side windows are stained glass with inlay painting. Painted, ornate murals, full of Biblical scenes, cover the walls.

Religious activities

There are two Our Lady of China, Tianjin (OLCTJ) parishes that celebrate at this cathedral: Chinese and English.

Every morning the Chinese parish holds a Mass, while also providing additional Saturday and Sunday services.

The English speaking parish,[2] started in 2007 by Father Joseph Loftus, celebrates at 11:30am every Sunday, with special Masses around certain holidays. Since this parish began, the English speaking foreign celebrants have created a Council to run all of the parish activities including a Music Ministry, Youth Group, Rosary Group, potluck meals, an RCIA, and a Charity Ministry. More specifically, the Xikai English parish has developed partnerships to help with Tianjin’s local Huiling Orphanage[3] and TICCO.

Images

References

  1. ↑ http://www2.tjfdc.gov.cn/Lists/List6/DispForm.aspx?ID=13809
  2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/olctj
  3. ↑ http://huiling.org.cn

Coordinates: 39°07′01″N 117°11′15″E / 39.11694°N 117.18750°E / 39.11694; 117.18750

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