The Catholic Churches of Hangzhou

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Hangzhou, the "city of heaven," the former capital of the South Song dynasty, houses one of the oldest Catholic communities in eastern China. The province of Zhejiang, a land of silk and tea, has been a place of encounter between the Catholic faith and Chinese culture.

History of evangelization in Zhejiang

The province of Zhejiang was evangelized by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Father Matteo Ricci visited Hangzhou in 1599 and established a mission that became one of the centers of Jesuit activity in China. Subsequently, the Franciscan and missionaries of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP) continued the evangelizing work.

In 1696, the Apostolic Vicariate of Zhejiang was established, covering a vast region of eastern China. The province was the scene of major persecutions, especially during the Boxers Rebellion (1900).

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Hangzhou

The Hangzhou Cathedral, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, was built in 1661 by the Jesuits. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in eastern China. The current building, rebuilt in 1887, combines European architectural elements with Chinese decorative motifs.

The interior of the cathedral houses a major altar of marble imported from Italy, as well as a series of vitrals representing scenes of the life of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral has been restored several times, the last time in 1999.

Marco Polo and the Christian presence

Hangzhou was described by Marco Polo as "the most noble and best city in the world." The Venetian traveller mentioned the presence of Christians in the city during his visit in the 13th century, before the arrival of Catholic missionaries. This early presence, although probably Nestorian, shows that the Christian faith reached Zhejiang long before what was believed.

Persecution and survival

During the Cultural Revolution (1966- 1976), the Hangzhou Cathedral was desecrated and converted into a mechanical workshop. However, the clandestine Catholic community kept the faith alive, celebrating masses in private houses. After the religious opening of the 1980s, the cathedral was restored and returned to veneration.

Hangzhou today

The diocese of Hangzhou currently has an active Catholic community. The cathedral celebrates daily masses and is a place of pilgrimage. The city of Hangzhou, as the former imperial capital, retains a rich Christian heritage.