Xishiku Church

　　    The original site of Xishiku Church was at Canchikou by the lake of Zhongnanhai (now diagonally opposite the old Beijing Library), and it opened in 1703; it once long served as the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Beijing, and is currently one of the largest and oldest churches in Beijing. In 1984, Xishiku Church was listed as an important municipal cultural heritage site in Beijing; in June 2006, it was included in the sixth batch of national key cultural heritage sites.

　　    Xishiku Church, also known as Beitang (the North Church), is located at No. 33 Xishiku Street. It was built in the early Qing Dynasty and was then called “Church of the Savior.” Originally situated at Canchikou by the lake of Zhongnanhai (now diagonally opposite the old Beijing Library), it opened in 1703. In 1887, due to the expansion of Zhongnanhai, it was demolished. Later, the Qing government allocated 450,000 taels of silver to rebuild it at Xishiku within the Xi’anmen area; in 1900, during renovations, the church was further heightened.

　　    Xishiku Church

　　    The ground floor was transformed into what is seen today as the solemn and elegant North Church. The North Church is a typical example of Gothic architecture. It was originally built by French Jesuit missionaries in the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1693) at Canchikou within Xi’anmen, and completed in 1703. After the death of Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng issued a ban on Christianity, and by the Daoguang era, the North Church had been abandoned. In 1872, it was confiscated and demolished by the Qing government. When the Anglo-French allied forces invaded Beijing in 1860, the Qing government returned the land of the North Church to the church, which was then rebuilt in 1866. In 1885, Empress Dowager Cixi expanded the Western Garden, and in 1887 the North Church was moved to its current location, being completed in 1900. In 1985, the state allocated funds for its renovation, restoring normal religious activities.

　　    Its four tall spires, three pointed arch entrances, and the round rose window in the center of the main nave create a dignified and magnificent façade that appears even more pristine and upright amidst the surrounding green pines and cypresses. The main hall is cross-shaped, with a construction area of about 2,200 square meters, a height of 16.5 meters, and the spire of the bell tower reaching approximately 31 meters. On the left and right sides in front of the church stand two Chinese-style pavilions with yellow glazed tile roofs and upturned eaves, each housing stone steles inscribed with calligraphy personally written by Emperor Qianlong. The combination of Chinese and Western styles, tall and short structures, creates a clever and marvelous effect. The saint statues on either side of the main entrance are unique among all churches in Beijing.

　　    The golden vault supported by 300 massive pillars and the 80 stained-glass windows inside the church always remind people of Notre-Dame de Paris. The overall architectural style blends Chinese and Western elements. In 1985, the North Church underwent renovation, during which the main altar of Jesus in front of the church and the altars of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph on the eastern and western sides were restored. The reopening ceremony was held on December 24, 1985. Xishiku Church has since become the most splendid church in Beijing.