Daming Catholic Church

Daming Catholic Church

Daming Catholic Church is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Daming Catholic Church, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Graces in Daming County, is located on East Street in the county town of Daming, Hebei Province. Its construction began in 1918 and was completed in December 1921. It is the second-largest Catholic church in China and one of the most magnificent and splendid churches still standing in Hebei Province. From a distance, the church resembles the Chinese character “山” (mountain), exuding a sense of stability, loftiness, and grandeur. The main hall is modeled after Western church architecture, boasting a grand scale and innovative design. The interior is richly decorated and luxurious. This church was built by the French Catholic Church. Until the eve of the liberation, it served as the center of the Daming Diocese and the residence of the bishop. After renovation in 1990, it has been preserved in relatively good condition. It is now a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Hebei Province.

The Daming Catholic Church covers a construction area of approximately 1,440 square meters. It is a Gothic-style building that integrates a bell tower and worship hall, with a cruciform floor plan. The building materials used include brick, stone, and wood. The bell tower is situated at the northern end of the entire structure, standing 42 meters high. At its top stands a cross symbolizing the Catholic Church. On the eastern, western, and northern sides of the bell tower, there are small clocks each with a diameter of 1.42 meters. Flanking the bell tower on both sides are two symmetrical smaller auxiliary towers, each over 20 meters tall, which add a unique charm. At a height of 3 meters above the main entrance, the niche contains a carved jade statue of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. On either side of the statue are couplets: “To know Her grace, behold what She holds in Her arms; to know Her power, gaze upon what She holds in Her hands,” with the horizontal inscription reading “Our Lady of Graces, Protector of Daming.” The central nave spans 11 meters, supported by 38 wall pillars and 22 main pillars. The windows are inlaid with stained glass. The east and west walls feature oil paintings of the “Fourteen Stations of the Cross.” The gypsum statues, reliefs, patterns carved into stones and wood, as well as the oil paintings and embroidered artworks inside the church all depict vivid figures, neat designs, rich colors, and intricate details, evoking a sense of mystery, solemnity, and seriousness.

Since its completion in 1921, the church has stood for sixty-five years. It has survived several major earthquakes and historical turmoil yet remains intact, demonstrating not only its exquisite and majestic construction but also its rational layout and sturdy architecture. According to some Catholic worshippers’ recollections, a priest once said that the style of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Graces in Daming County ranked second among churches nationwide (apart from one Catholic church in Shanghai, which is larger than Daming’s, the architectural style is identical). The main features of the church are its novelty and exquisite craftsmanship. It provides valuable material for the study of foreign architectural engineering and arts and crafts.

In May 2013, Daming Catholic Church was listed as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Location: East Street, Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province

Transportation: Within Daming County, you can take a taxi or walk to East Street to reach the church.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units