Historic Building Complex of Hujiang University -- Sze Wei Hall

Historic Building Complex of Hujiang University -- Sze Wei Hall

Sze Wei Hall (Auditorium and White Chapel):

The main auditorium of Hujiang University, also known as Sze Wei Hall, was built through fundraising to commemorate Dr. F. W. Welpton, the university’s second president, and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hujiang University. Construction started in 1936 and was completed in May 1937. In fact, Sze Wei Hall is part of the main auditorium, located on the northeast side. The entire auditorium is designed in the Romanesque style, featuring a two-story brick-concrete structure with an “L”-shaped floor plan. Elements such as pointed roofs, pointed arch windows and doors, simplified buttresses, spires, and stylized rose windows all reflect a strong religious character. The lower level of the building houses church offices and faculty lounges, while the upper level serves as the chapel. Upon its completion, the auditorium became an iconic building of Hujiang University and continues to function as a main hall to this day.

In May 1937, the combined structure of the University Auditorium and Sze Wei Hall (Auditorium and White Chapel) was completed at a construction cost of $22,100. The upper level of the University Auditorium serves as the auditorium itself, accommodating over 1,200 people, while the lower level includes meeting rooms, alumni association rooms, and student extracurricular activity club rooms. Sze Wei Hall is situated on the north side of the University Auditorium and is connected to it. Its upper level functions as a chapel, while the lower level houses church offices and faculty lounges.