South Church

　　Destination Introduction
　　The South Church is located at No. 141 Qianmen West Street and is now the cathedral of the Beijing Diocese. In Beijing, it is the oldest and most historic Catholic church. In 1605 (the 33rd year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli reign), Father Matteo Ricci built the first chapel on this site, but it was very small. Later, in 1650, Father Johann Adam Schall von Bell, a German Jesuit, constructed the first large church in Beijing within the city. Jesuit priests such as Schall von Bell resided in the church. Emperor Shunzhi visited the South Church 24 times to have intimate conversations with Father Schall von Bell, who served as the Director of the Imperial Observatory under the Qing government. The church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition to the priests' residence, the church courtyard houses an observatory, a library, an instrument room, and more. The emperor bestowed a plaque inscribed with “Tong Wei Jia Jing” (A Fine Place of Profound Mystery) and referred to Father Schall von Bell as the “Teacher of Profound Mystery.”

　　　　In the eighth year of the Yongzheng reign, an earthquake struck Beijing, resulting in approximately 100,000 casualties, and both the North and South Churches suffered damage. Emperor Yongzheng granted 1,000 taels of silver for repairs. During the Yongzheng era (possibly in the tenth year of his reign), the South Church was temporarily closed. In 1775, a fire destroyed the church, and later, Emperor Qianlong granted 10,000 taels of silver for its reconstruction. All plaques and couplets inscribed by Emperor Kangxi were lost in the fire, including the “Wan You Zhen Yuan” (All Things Have True Origin) plaque. Fathers Gao Shen Si and An Guo Ning took responsibility. Emperor Qianlong then granted another 10,000 taels of silver and ordered the church to be rebuilt according to the standards set by Emperor Kangxi. All plaques and couplets were rewritten in the emperor’s own hand, fully restoring the church’s former glory. (However, he changed “Wan You Zhen Yuan” to “Wan You Zhen Yuan” [All Things Have True Source].)

　　　　In the 18th year of the Daoguang reign (1838), the South Church was closed. On December 28 of the 24th year of the Daoguang reign (1844), Emperor Daoguang finally lifted the ban on Catholicism.

　　　　In the 26th year of the Daoguang reign, the South Church was returned to the church. It was renovated again in 1860 and reopened by Bishop Meng of Beijing.

　　　　On June 14, 1900, it was once again destroyed by fire. In 1904, the main church and its affiliated buildings—the present-day South Church—were reconstructed. Today, only two stone tablets remain, documenting the church's construction history from 1650.

　　　　On December 21, 1979, Bishop Fu Tieshan was ordained at the Xuanwumen South Church, marking a significant moment as the church reopened. Under Bishop Fu’s leadership, the Beijing Diocese entered a period of healthy development. The Xuanwumen South Church became the center of the diocese, playing a vital role. It now houses the bishop’s office, the diocesan administration, the Municipal Patriotic Association, and the Church Affairs Committee. Many important offices of the “One Diocese, Two Associations” are also located here.

　　　　After reopening, the South Church was led by three successive parish priests: Father Shi Yukun, Father Zhao Qinglong, and Father Han Wensheng. Currently, Father Han remains in charge of the parish. Assistant pastors include Father Pang Wenxian and Father Zhang Tianlu.

　　　　The main church is a Gothic arched structure with a floor area of approximately 1,300 square meters and auxiliary buildings covering about 400 square meters. The roof features vaulted arches, the facade is adorned with exquisite brick carvings, and the column capitals are decorated with carved, gilded wooden patterns. A large oil painting of the Virgin Mary hangs above the altar. The exterior is grand and, with its stained glass windows, appears even more magnificent. Inside the South Church are two original stone tablets: one is the Qing Dynasty Emperor Shunzhi’s inscribed tablet for the Catholic Church, though the inscriptions have become unclear over time and are embedded in the walls on either side of the main hall. On the western wall of the main hall originally stood an iron cross approximately 12 feet tall, which is the earliest surviving artifact of the South Church. It is a key cultural relic protected by Beijing Municipality.

　　　　Location: No. 141 Qianmen West Street   Transportation Information
　　Transportation: Take bus routes 44, 48, or 703 and get off at Qianmen West Station.

　　 Beijing Xicheng District

The South Church is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.