The Catholic Church on Weizhou Island is located in Shengtang Village in the northeastern part of the island, where 80% of the villagers are Catholic believers. This Catholic Church, which was originally built in 1853 by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, remains a place of religious activities and is said to be very effective for prayers. Shengtang Village is about 8 kilometers away from the town center, and visitors can rent bicycles on the island to get here. Visitors are allowed to freely tour the church, but they must remove their hats and maintain silence.
Upon entering the church, you may see people taking wedding photos, and you can sit quietly inside the church to appreciate the exhibits and decorations, feeling the sacred atmosphere. Although the Catholic Church is of an old age, its main structure is still well-preserved. At the time, there was no reinforced concrete, and the building materials were all taken from the island’s corals, rocks, and lime, making it very special. It is a typical French Gothic church from the Renaissance period, with towering Romanesque spires. Compared with the surrounding low houses, the church is particularly spectacular and eye-catching. The bell tower inside the church has a stone spiral staircase, allowing only one person to ascend to the second floor. On the top floor, there is a large silver alloy bell cast in 1889. Every Sunday morning, the bell-ringer will go to the second floor to ring the church bell, and the residents of the island will come here to worship. The sanctuary has stained glass, and the hall has large pointed arch windows on both sides. When the sunlight shines in, it is particularly beautiful. Exiting the side door of the church, you can see century-old mango and jackfruit trees, and outside the church, there are many small stalls selling various items. The farmers’ market sells seafood at noon and in the afternoon. In addition, there is a smaller-scale Holy Mother Church in Chengzai Village in the central part of Weizhou Island. If you have time to spare, it is worth a visit. The church is open year-round from 08:00 to 17:30.
