Shiqi Catholic Church

Shiqi Catholic Church

Shiqi Catholic Church (also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception) is a relatively modern Gothic-style church built in 1942 by Father Ampoulon when he came to Zhongshan to serve as the Vicar General. The entire structure is made of reinforced concrete. The church faces south and is built on a north-south axis, topped with green tiles and covered in pink stucco on the exterior walls. The front of the church is about 15 meters high, with a bell tower located at the top (which has never rung), topped by a 1-meter-high cross. On the right side of the church entrance, there is a spiral staircase leading directly to the bell tower at the top. Inside the church, there are arcade-style side corridors on both sides, which facilitate window cleaning and maintenance of the upper parts of the church and also serve as a decorative feature. The interior of the church is shaped like hands clasped in prayer, giving off a strong religious atmosphere and showcasing high architectural artistry. The church is symmetrically designed with pointed arches and pointed windows, fitted with stained glass that allows abundant light to stream in. This makes the high ceiling appear to float above the church, giving everyone inside the sensation of rising into an invisible space, evoking a feeling of spiritual ascension and the mystery of heaven. The church covers an area of approximately 600 square meters, with paintings depicting the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus arranged along the inner walls on both sides. The altar is about 20 square meters, with a tall and benevolent statue of the Virgin Mary standing at the center. The entire altar is both simple and magnificent, and standing there feels like being in a detached, immaterial world. In the 1990s, the church underwent minor renovations: the exterior pink stucco was preserved, the uneven original flooring was replaced with pink terrazzo tiles, and brown chairs and stools were added, lending an overall solemn, neat, and dignified impression.

Location

No. 148, Sun Wenzhong Road, Shiqi Town, Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province