Wangfujing Catholic Church

　　Wangfujing Catholic Church, commonly known as the East Church, also called St. Joseph’s Church or Bamiancao Church, is located at No. 74 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It is the second church built by the Jesuits in Beijing's urban area after Xuanwumen Catholic Church.

　　　It is one of the four major Catholic churches in Beijing. It was founded by two missionaries: the Italian Lodovico Buglio and the Portuguese João da Costa. In the late Ming Dynasty, the two were preaching in Sichuan. In the early Qing Dynasty, they were captured by Qing soldiers and brought to Beijing, where they served at the Prince Su’s Mansion. In the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign (1655), the Kangxi Emperor granted them a residence and a piece of vacant land (the current site), where they built a church on the open ground — the second church in Beijing (the first being the South Church), which is also the earliest East Church. The East Church compound originally had the Catholic church in the center, facing east and west, with about 30 rooms. The roof of the church held three crosses, with the central one being the largest and the two side ones smaller. The church was supported by 18 circular brick pillars, and its walls featured several oil paintings including depictions of the Crucifixion of Jesus. There were classrooms to the south and west of the church, and to the east there was a courtyard that included flower beds, single-story houses, and multi-story buildings, which served as the priests’ residences. The East Church once housed several holy images painted by the court painter Giuseppe Castiglione, but these were lost after a fire in the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign (1807). In 1884, a Romanesque-style grand church was rebuilt but was later burned down during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1904, it was reconstructed using the “Boxer Indemnity” funds (a joint project by France and Ireland), resulting in the current East Church. The church compound still has the main Catholic church in the center, facing east and west, with a width of 25 meters and approximately 30 rooms. It stands on a bluestone foundation, with three crosses atop its roof — the central one being the largest, the side ones smaller. The church is supported by 18 circular brick pillars, each 65 cm in diameter, with square bases. On both sides inside the church hang several oil paintings, including depictions of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The site covers nearly 10,000 square meters. It is a key cultural relic protected by Dongcheng District. The northern section of Beijing’s Wangfujing Street is currently under renovation, and the previously mysterious surrounding walls of the church have been removed, drawing much public attention. The gray European-style pointed roof building appears even more mysterious due to its age, while the newly paved square in front is enriched with a strong humanistic touch amid the surrounding green trees. Against the backdrop of the surrounding modern buildings, Wangfujing Catholic Church has become a new attraction on this street. The over 8,000-square-meter square in front of the church has been paved, with benches on both sides for pedestrians to rest. To the south of the church, the largest green space on Wangfujing Street — covering over 1,000 square meters — is about to be unveiled. It will be a garden with a three-dimensional planting of flowers, shrubs, and trees. As roses are its main feature, it has a lovely name: Rose Garden. A man-made spring flowing out from the Rose Garden is named “Cascade Spring” because it flows down in tiers along the southern side of the square. The entire church square is over 1 meter higher than the surrounding ground, adding to its uniqueness. It is said that, designed entirely in the style of a Western Catholic church, there will also be a wine cellar beneath the Rose Garden.

　　　　Set against its surroundings, Wangfujing Catholic Church has become a new highlight on this bustling street. The over 8,000-square-meter square in front of the church has been fully paved, with seating areas on both sides for pedestrians to take a break. To the south of the church, the largest green space on Wangfujing Street — spanning more than 1,000 square meters — is set to debut soon. It will be a layered garden featuring flowers, shrubs, and trees. Dominated by roses, it has the lovely name “Rose Garden.” A man-made stream flowing from the Rose Garden, cascading down along the southern edge of the square, is named “Cascade Spring.” The entire church square is raised more than 1 meter above ground level, giving it a distinctive presence. It is said that, as the design follows a traditional Western Catholic church layout, there will also be a wine cellar beneath the Rose Garden.
　　Beijing Wangfujing Church is a church designed in the Roman architectural style and is a fine example of the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural elements. Though situated in a busy urban area, it does not lose any of its sacred aura. During holidays, if you happen to walk past the church, you might hear the deep tones of the pipe organ and the sunlit voices of the choir resonating from within, echoing through the winter air.

　　Transportation Tips

　　　　Take bus routes 103, 104, 803, or 814 and get off at Dong’an Market Station. Walk 300 meters north along the east side of the road.
　　Take Metro Line 5 to Dengshikou Station, then walk 300 meters west along Baishu Hutong.

Wangfujing Catholic Church isAAA-level attraction