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Four Famous Churches in Beijing

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1. The South Church – Xuanwumen Catholic Church

The southern church is located at Xuanwumen Avenue, and it faces the north. Because there is a huge painting of the Immaculate Conception hanging on the wall behind the pulpit, the church is also called “the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception”. It was built by Johann Adam Schall von Bell, a German missionary, on the former site of a small scripture hall, and became the first formal Catholic church in Beijing City. In 1652, when the church first opened, Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty inscribed a plaque and presented it to the church.  According to historical documents, Emperor Shunzhi and Emperor Kangxi visited the church many times. The church was rebuilt in 1904, and today it is of Romanesque architecture with a semi-circular arch. During the Cultural Revolution, it was used as a processing factory of toys. In 1978, it re-opened to the public and resumed its function as a regular venue for religious service. It is the seat of Beijing’s dioceses and Patriotic Catholic Association  

Open 6:00-9:00 (reference only)

2. The East Church – Wangfujing Catholic Church

The Eastern Church is located at Wangfujing Avenue, and it faces the west. It was originally named after Joseph, the Father of Jesus Christ, as “Saint Joseph’s Church”.  Built in the 12th year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign of the Qing Dynasty, it became the second church in Beijing City by Catholic popery. Johann Adam Schall von Bell lived here at his old age, and missionaries such as Ferdinand Verbiest and Giuseppe Castiglione‎ also serviced here. Inside the church, many precious religious paintings drawn by Giuseppe Castiglione are preserved. The church was rebuilt in 1904, and today it is of Romanesque architecture. During the Cultural Revolution, it was used as Wangfujing Primary School. After several restorations in recent years, it has become a cultural site with unique features in the Wangfujing Area. A wedding photography studio operated by a Taiwan ese uses the church as its photographic background for newlyweds. Many young people come to the square in front of the church to practice skateboarding.

Open every morning (times may vary)

3. The North Church – Xishiku Church

The north church is located in Xishiku inside the west city gate, and it faces the south. Built in the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was originally called “Savior Church”. It was erected in the 42nd year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign of the Qing Dynasty, by a French missionary. When it was completed, Emperor Kangxi inscribed a plaque and presented it to the church. During the reign of Guangxu Emperor, the Empress Dowager Cixi thought that the church was so tall that it blocked her sight, and commanded to relocate the church. After negotiation, the church was moved to Xishiku and was built as a Gothic building. It became the head church for Catholic popery in Beijing. The church was restored and renovated in 1901. During the Cultural Revolution,, it was used as a middle school. It is said that in the near future, the head church will be moved from south church to north church.   
Open 5:00 – 18:00 all day on Christmas (reference only)

4. Dongjiaomin Alley Church

Also named “St. Michael’s Church” or “French Church”, it is the last church built by missionaries in China. Its address is 13 Dongjiaomin Alley Jia, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Built in 1901, its' two-story Gothic architecture is well-known by the delicate statues of angels above its main gate. Dongjiamin Alley Catholic Church is one of the youngest churches in Beijing, it is located within the area which once belonged to the French Consulate. After the signing of Xinchou Treaty in 1901, more and more Europeans came to settle or live in the consulate zone in Dongjiaomin Alley. These expatriates asked to build a church nearby for religious activities. After the negotiation between French Bishop Pierre Marie Alphonse Favier and the French Consul in China, the French Consulate transferred the land possession, and a French catholic father took charge of the construction of the Catholic church. Later stages of the construction was passed on to another Frenchman.

Open all day (reference only)

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