Hidden Gem of Gothic Churches | Ranked First in the Top 100 Historical Buildings

Text by MOOK Travel Christopher | Compiled and Reported

Taiwan is filled with various foreign elements that enrich its cultural diversity. Hidden among the ancient streets of Qishan in Kaohsiung stands an elegant and refined faux-Gothic building — the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, built in 1959 by Father Dai Gangde of the Dominican Order of the Catholic Church. It was designed by an Italian architect to aid in missionary work.

The church has three floors, with a towering gable front. Its grey exposed-aggregate finish presents a simple yet refined look. Above the main façade sits a statue of Jesus, flanked by two symmetrical tall towers. It features round arch windows and rose window reliefs, using intricate gables and arched curves that interweave to showcase exquisite craftsmanship. The sides are adorned with continuous pointed arch windows to create a soaring, heaven-reaching visual effect.

The church’s altar features magnificent, lifelike murals depicting stories of God and saints, paired with high wooden beam structures that add a sacred and ethereal atmosphere to the religious hall. The classical refinement of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church won first place in then-Kaohsiung County and 21st place in Taiwan’s Top 100 Historical Buildings in the 2001 competition hosted by the Council for Cultural Affairs, making it a must-see for travelers who appreciate historical architecture.