Taiwan’s only globally significant architectural gem: Taitung Gongdong Church – stunning stained glass light effects

▲ Gongdong Church was once the tallest building in Taitung.

Reported and photographed by Cai Wenjun / Taitung

Recently, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) selected the “30 Most Important Modern Buildings in the World,” and Taitung Gongdong Church was among them – the only one from Taiwan. This has brought renewed fame to this church, hidden atop a school campus. But when is the best time to visit and admire the most beautiful aspects of this Taitung version of Noah’s Ark? Liu Zheng, secretary of the principal’s office at Gongdong Industrial Vocational High School, said that visiting around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. not only allows you to appreciate this beautiful structure but also to enjoy the stunning stained glass light effects inside the church.

▲ The other side of Gongdong Church.

▲ Former dormitories for students and priests.

Liu Zheng explained that Gongdong Church is nearly 60 years old. It was initiated by Father Luigi Zarri of the Catholic CICM Missionaries and designed by Swiss architect Justus Dahinden. Built using the concept of exposed concrete, it features a “Noah’s Ark” shape and is one of the world’s earlier examples of such architecture. This four-story building was also a training ground for young people in eastern Taiwan to learn trades. The first floor served as a factory, the second and third floors were student dormitories, and the fourth floor housed the church – which was also the tallest building in Taitung at the time.

▲ Traces left on the church building after an earthquake.

After the 921 Earthquake, Gongdong Church was also affected, with parts of the structure damaged and the building temporarily listed as dangerous. It wasn’t until alumni donations enabled restoration work to begin that the church regained its former beauty.

▲ Interior of the church.

▲ The church emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, creating a solemn and tranquil beauty as light streams in from the skylight.

The most beautiful aspect of this exposed concrete building lies within the church on the top floor. When the doors on both sides are slowly pushed open, the interior gradually comes into view. The rough-surfaced concrete walls create a sense of solemn space, while the right wall features a full row of stained glass panels depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross, conveying the story of Jesus while adding splashes of color to this dignified church. Sunlight filters in through the gaps in the sloped roof, streaming into the church through the skylight and creating a play of natural light and shadow.

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▲ When sunlight pours in, the stained glass light patterns reflected on the floor are among the most beautiful sights in the church.

Liu Zheng recommends visiting around 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. if you want to see the church at its most beautiful. When sunlight shines through the colored glass, it creates magical stained glass reflections on the floor, adding a fantastical charm to the church. The natural light entering through the gaps in the skylight aligns perfectly along the rows of seats, creating a straight-line effect from the inside out – a sight that remains unforgettable no matter how many times you see it.

Gongdong Church
Address: No. 560, Section 1, Zhongxing Road, Taitung City (within the Catholic Private Gongdong Industrial Vocational High School)
※ Visits require advance online application