Of the many architectural and historic attractions in Beijing, the city's Christian churches may not be on the regular tourist agenda, but they are well worth a tour.
Christianity was first introduced into China in the seventh century. The first Protestant missionaries came in 1807. The efforts of Western missionaries to spread Christianity in China reached a peak at the dawn of the 20th Century and were concurrent with incursions by the imperialist powers which semi-colonized parts of the country. Many Christian institutions established beachheads throughout China, building churches, schools, and other institutions. Most Beijing churches were built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and have been refurbished many times.
The following are the seven major churches in Beijing:
(4) Gangwashi Christian Church
Beijing's oldest Protestant Church, recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding by missionaries from the London Missionary Society.
The Gangwashi was first rented for a hospital by the Christian and Missionary Alliance of London in 1863, and also used for religious services. In 1903, alliance members bought more land from a local landlord for expansion.
In 1922, it was rebuilt and members joined the Chinese Christian Society. The complex included a church, a hospital, and a school.
Its services stopped during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976) but resumed in 1986.
In 1989, Chinese-Korean Christians in Beijing began to use the church for their own services.
Since the reopening in the 1980s, this church went from a hundred followers to more than 6,000 today. The believers are active and take part in many activities to help others: assistance to disadvantaged people, visit hospitals, visits in jail...
Located in Xisi, the Gangwashi Presbyterian Church hosts a very dynamic Christian parish in Beijing.
The church manages a bookshop with religious books in the Chinese language. (Photo: beijinglocation)
The main activities are scheduled as follows:
On Sunday :
4 Services:
- 1st : 7:00 - 8:30 am
-2nd: 8:30 - 10:00 am with English translation available
- 3rd: 10:00 - 11:30 am with English translation available
- 4th: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Note: Special Service for Chinese-Korean ethnic minority at 1 pm
Weekdays:
Masses are held regularly, but on weekdays the focus is set on special activities :
- Tuesday : 7:00 - 8:30 pm Bible studies (in Chinese)
- Wednesday: 8:30 - 9:30 am prayer session
- Thursday: 19:00 - 20:30 Bible studies for children (in Chinese)
- Friday: 8:30 - 9:30 women's meeting
How to Get There :
Xisi subway station (line 4), exit D, walk around 10 minutes southwards
Address:
北京基督教会缸瓦市堂
北京市西四南大街57号
57 Xisi S St, Xicheng, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6617 6181
page web: http://www.gwshcc.org/
Of the many architectural and historic attractions in Beijing, the city's Christian churches may not be on the regular tourist agenda, but they are well worth a tour.
Christianity was first introduced into China in the seventh century. The first Protestant missionaries came in 1807. The efforts of Western missionaries to spread Christianity in China reached a peak at the dawn of the 20th Century and were concurrent with incursions by the imperialist powers which semi-colonized parts of the country. Many Christian institutions established beachheads throughout China, building churches, schools, and other institutions. Most Beijing churches were built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and have been refurbished many times.
The following are the seven major churches in Beijing:
(4) Gangwashi Christian Church
Beijing's oldest Protestant Church, recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding by missionaries from the London Missionary Society.
The Gangwashi was first rented for a hospital by the Christian and Missionary Alliance of London in 1863, and also used for religious services. In 1903, alliance members bought more land from a local landlord for expansion.
In 1922, it was rebuilt and members joined the Chinese Christian Society. The complex included a church, a hospital, and a school.
Its services stopped during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976) but resumed in 1986.
In 1989, Chinese-Korean Christians in Beijing began to use the church for their own services.
Since the reopening in the 1980s, this church went from a hundred followers to more than 6,000 today. The believers are active and take part in many activities to help others: assistance to disadvantaged people, visit hospitals, visits in jail...
Located in Xisi, the Gangwashi Presbyterian Church hosts a very dynamic Christian parish in Beijing.
The church manages a bookshop with religious books in the Chinese language. (Photo: beijinglocation)
The main activities are scheduled as follows:
On Sunday :
4 Services:
- 1st : 7:00 - 8:30 am
-2nd: 8:30 - 10:00 am with English translation available
- 3rd: 10:00 - 11:30 am with English translation available
- 4th: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Note: Special Service for Chinese-Korean ethnic minority at 1 pm
Weekdays:
Masses are held regularly, but on weekdays the focus is set on special activities :
- Tuesday : 7:00 - 8:30 pm Bible studies (in Chinese)
- Wednesday: 8:30 - 9:30 am prayer session
- Thursday: 19:00 - 20:30 Bible studies for children (in Chinese)
- Friday: 8:30 - 9:30 women's meeting
How to Get There :
Xisi subway station (line 4), exit D, walk around 10 minutes southwards
Address:
北京基督教会缸瓦市堂
北京市西四南大街57号
57 Xisi S St, Xicheng, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6617 6181
page web: http://www.gwshcc.org/
