Fanchuanpu Catholic Church, Fuzhou

Fanchuanpu Catholic Church (泛船浦天主教堂), located in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, is a significant historical and architectural landmark. Originally built in the third year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1864), the church underwent reconstruction in the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), occupying a substantial area of 8,400 square meters. This Gothic-style building, designed by a French architect, combines elements of Gothic and French (Romanesque) architectural styles, making it a unique blend of Western influences.

The church structure forms a cross shape, measuring 60.2 meters in length and 19.52 meters in width, covering an area of 1,371.4 square meters. It can accommodate over 3,000 people. At the northern end of the main hall stands a bell tower over 20 meters high, topped with a nearly 3-meter-tall cross. Historically, the bell tower’s chimes could be heard for over ten miles, earning the church the title of the “largest church in Jiangnan.” Today, it remains the largest Catholic church in Fujian Province and serves as the headquarters of the Catholic Diocese of Fuzhou.

Inside the church, 11 European-style cement pillars, each about one meter in diameter, stand on either side. The ceiling features an arched vault adorned with star patterns. There are five altars within the church: the main altar, located in the center, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, the church’s patron saint. The four smaller altars, arranged from east to west, are dedicated to Saint Joseph (the foster father of Jesus), the Virgin Mary, and Saint Therese. The walls are lined with stained glass windows, which allow light to filter through in vibrant colors. Each side altar is flanked by three stained glass panels depicting various saints. The second floor of the church houses a choir loft measuring 20 meters in length and 6 meters in width, which faces the main altar.

The church’s architectural design is noteworthy for its ribbed vault ceiling, a feature not typically found in the region. The vault does not bear the roof’s weight; instead, a triangular truss within the vault supports the roof load, distributing it to the walls, pillars, and ground. This use of a traditional Western ribbed vault was unprecedented in the local area.

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Fanchuanpu Catholic Church is located at 54 Xinmin Street, Cangshan District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:

Bus: Take bus 175 and get off at Fanchuanpu Catholic Church Stop (泛船浦教堂站).

Metro: The closest metro station to Fanchuanpu Catholic Church is Shangteng (上藤) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit A, walk abou 900 meters to the northeast to reach the site.