East Church

East Church

East Church is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

East Church is located

at No. 74 Wangfujing Street and is listed as one of the fourth batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing.

Originally named St. Joseph’s Church, it belonged to the Portuguese Jesuit mission. Construction began in the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1655), but it was destroyed in a fire in the 26th year of the Guangxu reign (1900) and rebuilt in the 30th year (1904). It features a brick-and-wood structure with gray brick walls and exposed masonry, designed in a European Renaissance Revival style. The façade has a rigorous proportional design, finely crafted masonry, and intricate stone carvings. It is one of the most renowned Catholic churches in the Beijing area.

In May 2013, East Church was designated as part of the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units.

Source: Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Beijing

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units