Former Site of North China University

Former Site of North China University

The Former Site of North China University is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Located within the premises of what is now the Chinese People's Liberation Army 256th Hospital in Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang City, on the north side of Zhongshan East Road, the site was originally a Catholic church built in the sixth year of the Tongzhi era (1867). The surviving structures of the church complex include the Catholic church building, the priests' building, and the nuns' building, along with two commemorative steles honoring clergy who sacrificed their lives to protect local residents during the Japanese occupation of Zhengding. On August 24, 1948, the North China Associated University and the Northern University merged to form North China University, which was established on this very site.

The Catholic church faces south with its main structure being a typical single-story Gothic building, with parts of it two stories high. In the 1960s, the originally towering bell towers on both sides were destroyed, and the doors and windows were replaced with modern glass ones. The interior has also been modified. The priests' building (now called Qixian Building) is located to the east of the Catholic church. This Western-style, two-story building has a width of five bays and a depth of one bay, with corridors at both the front and rear. When North China University (the predecessor of Renmin University of China) was based here in 1948, President Wu Yuzhang and renowned writer Ding Ling had their offices in this building. Ding Ling also completed her novel *The Sun Shines Over the Sanggan River* while working here. Aside from some changes to the roof, doors, windows, and interior decoration, the building remains largely in its original state. The nuns' building is situated to the south of the priests' building. Originally used as living quarters for the church’s nuns, it served as student dormitories when North China University was located here in 1948. The building is currently vacant.

These three historic buildings are remnants of the former Catholic church complex. The church itself embodies the characteristics of Western Gothic architecture, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistic value, and holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific importance, providing valuable insight into Western architectural styles. Furthermore, the presence of North China University here in 1948 played a crucial role in training a large number of cadres for New China, leaving an indelible mark on modern history.

In February 2018, the Former Site of North China University was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Hebei Province.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province