Former Site of the Bishop's Residence

Former Site of the Bishop's Residence Building

The Beihai Diocese was established in 1920 as one of the seven Catholic dioceses in Guangdong. It was responsible for overseeing Catholic affairs in 12 counties and cities across Guangdong, including Gao, Lei, Lian, Qiong, Qin, and Fang. The Bishop's Residence Building served as the office of the “Bishop” of the Beihai Diocese. A “Bishop” is a senior clergy member in the Catholic Church, with the authority to appoint and dismiss priests.

The Beihai Diocese had affiliated institutions such as the Holy Virtue Monastery, a convent for women, an orphanage, and the Guangci Hospital. Its operating funds were directly sent from Vatican City in Rome via Hong Kong.

The Bishop's Residence Building was constructed between 1934 and 1935. The main structure is 42 meters long and 17.84 meters wide, with two floors and a total floor area of 750 square meters. Because of its attractive architecture and pleasant surroundings, locals in Beihai called it the “Red Building,” making it one of the city’s well-known Western-style buildings.

The former site of the building is relatively well-preserved and stands as a historical witness to the French Catholic presence and diocesan administration in Beihai. During the 1960s, the occupying organization added a third floor, altering its original appearance.