San Shenggong Catholic Church

San Shenggong Catholic Church

San Shenggong Catholic Church is a cultural tourism attraction.

San Shenggong Catholic Church

The earliest Catholic church built in the Hetao region and the largest in Northwest China, it is situated in the former Liangtai Township, 1.5 kilometers from the seat of Dengkou County Government, and currently functions as the cathedral of the Bayannur Diocese. The church was built by French Catholic priest Father De Yuming, with construction starting in 1888 and completed in 1893. After 1980, the church underwent renovation and was reopened for use. Its architectural style incorporates Western Gothic elements while also reflecting distinctive local Chinese ethnic characteristics, blending Chinese and Western architectural art.

The church covers an area of 675 square meters, with the main sanctuary standing 10 meters tall. The foundation extends 2 meters underground, with lump coal used to press the base, upon which stone slabs are laid, raising the foundation 0.8 meters above ground level. The walls are constructed from finely made blue bricks, while the roof is entirely covered with iron sheeting. Thirty-six pointed arch windows are inlaid with small, patterned, multicolored glass pieces and lead strips. Inside, the roof features circular arches supported by two rows of 14 red-painted, 30-centimeter-diameter high pillars, with five altars of varying sizes. At the top of the church courtyard gate sits a bell tower 10 meters high, housing two large alloy bronze bells whose resonant and sonorous chimes can be heard up to ten miles away. Ancillary structures include a monastery, convent, orphanage, boys' elementary school (a 560-square-meter office building was rebuilt on the original site in 1998), and an orchard, all featuring unique styles and forming a cohesive complex. In 2006, the church was designated as an autonomous region-level protected cultural relic.

During major church events, not only do local believers gather at the church, but worshippers from Yinchuan, Pingluo, Dingbian, Baotou, and various banners and counties of the Bayannur region also flock here, filling the village with the sound of scripture recitations.