The Key to Heaven: Taoyuan’s Most Exotic Old Church

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

During the period of Dutch rule, Taiwan—then known as Formosa—left the Dutch in awe, as they marveled that it was the most beautiful island. To this day, European architectural styles are deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture, and churches, as representations of religious heritage, best showcase historical landmarks. This time, Scenic Spots will introduce the Kikuo Pai Old Church in Taoyuan, designed around the concept of “the key to heaven.”

Originally the Sanmin Presbyterian Church, this structure was built in 1963 as the faith center for the local Dufa (TUBA) tribe. It was intended to pass on the spirit of Christianity through generations. Locals chose nearby Bat Cave stone as the building material, extracting and transporting the stones themselves, then carefully laying each brick and tile to construct the church on the mountain. The unique wall construction, paired with the distinctive heavenly entrance design, earned it recognition as one of the Cultural Affairs Council’s “100 Historical Sights,” and in 2013, it was selected as one of the Ministry of the Interior’s “100 Religious Sites in Taiwan,” holding considerable historical significance.