St. Mary's Catholic Church in Songbai Lane

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Songbai Lane

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Songbai Lane is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Era: 1922

Type: Important Modern Historical Site and Representative Architecture

Address: No. 82, Luojiatang, West Lake District, Nanchang City

Introduction:

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Songbai Lane is located at No. 82, Luojiatang, Nanchang City (formerly No. 57, Songbai Lane). It was established under the direction of French missionary Father Meng Deliang in 1922, and its full name is "Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary." The church faces west and has a total area (including auxiliary buildings) of 10,000 square meters. Over time, the area gradually shrank, and it now covers approximately 2,600 square meters, with the main church building occupying 1,363 square meters. The main structure of the church is built in the Romanesque style and serves as a place where Catholic worshippers gather for Mass and prayer.

In the early hours of August 1, 1927, the 71st Regiment of the 24th Division of Ye Ting’s forces, who participated in the Nanchang Uprising, launched an attack on the 57th Regiment of the 6th Army stationed in the church. After fierce fighting, the revolutionary troops captured the church and eliminated (with most taken captive) all enemy forces.

During the Cultural Revolution, the church was temporarily closed. It is now managed and used by religious authorities, and the church building is also open to worshippers on Sunday mornings in accordance with religious customs for communal worship.

In July 2000, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection units in Jiangxi Province.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units