The Jilin Catholic Church (吉林天主教堂), also known as the Sacred Heart Cathedral (耶稣圣心堂), was constructed between 1917 and 1926. It covers an area of approximately 6,449 square meters, with the building itself spanning around 800 square meters. This Gothic-style church, made entirely of brick and stone, features a prominent spire that reaches about 45 meters in height.
The structure consists of the main church and a bell tower, with the floor plan designed in the shape of a cross. The bricks used in the construction are locally sourced, specifically crafted to dimensions of 31 cm by 25 cm. The high-quality granite for the stonework was obtained from Ashhada, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Jilin City, and meticulously carved into various decorative stone columns, door frames, and window sills.
The bell tower comprises three pointed spires, with a bronze bell housed within the central tower. It stands 45 meters tall, spans 27 meters wide, and stretches 33 meters in length, covering an area of about 500 square meters. The main nave features 16 large round stone columns, each standing 28 meters high and 0.5 meters in diameter, with smooth surfaces reminiscent of polished silver.
Inside, the church houses images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph, displayed alongside altars and precious artifacts on a red carpet. The church also serves as a historical landmark, symbolizing Jilin City’s turbulent past during a time of war and conflict, including the Japanese invasion and occupation following the “September 18 Incident.” It has witnessed significant events in Chinese history, including Japan’s surrender and the liberation of Jilin City in 1948.
Throughout the 20th century, the church became a prominent symbol of Jilin City, frequently appearing on postcards and photographs, and holds significant historical and artistic value.
Basic Informatin
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0432-62011898 |
Location and Transportation
The Jilin Catholic Church is located at No. 3 Songjiang Middle Road, Chuanying District, Jilin City, Jilin Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 3, 30, 32, 33, 40, 42, 61, 66, 130, 140, 301, 313, 332, or 333 and get off at Jiangcheng Square Stop (江城广场站)
