Also known as Taijichang Catholic Church, it is the smallest Catholic church in downtown Beijing and also the last Catholic church built in Beijing. Located in Dongjiaominxiang, Dongcheng District, it originally belonged to the French consulate and was built in 1901 (the 27th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty). It was founded by French priest. The church enshrines Michael, that is, Archangel Michael.
On the north side inside St. Michael’s Church is a two-story western-style building made of grey bricks, which is for clergy to live in. The sanctuary in the west is of Gothic architecture. Built on a high platform, it faces south from north. It is fourteen bays deep from north to south and three bays wide from east to west. The main body is tile-gray. On the south of the church roof are two conical spires. The spires are carved with tower flowers around. There are niches on both sides of the main entrance. They are shrines for sages. The east niche enshrines Joseph and the west niche enshrines the Virgin Mary. The church roof is sloping and covered with grey glazed tubular tiles. The church is equipped with colorful stained glass windows. Supported by columns and with wooden floors, there is a pulpit in the north. The statue of ‘Michael’ is enshrined in the front. There are ten brick bungalows on the east side of the sanctuary. The church was originally used only for foreigners, and the priests were all French. In 1951, foreign priests left the country, and Chinese people began to serve as the priest of this church. In 1958, this church was used by Dongjiaominxiang Primary School. In 1986, the school was relocated. After renovation, it was temporarily used as a convent and religious activities were resumed. The church reopened in 1989. Open all year round and all day. For details, please refer to the announcements at the scenic spot.St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Also known as Taijichang Catholic Church, it is the smallest Catholic church in downtown Beijing and[...]
