The Catholic Churches of Hohhot

Hohhot, Mongolia Interior, China

Hohhot, the capital of the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, houses a small Catholic community that has maintained faith over the centuries in the Mongolian steppe.

History of Evangelization in Inner Mongolia

The Catholic presence in Inner Mongolia dates back to the 13th century, when the Franciscans accompanied the Mongols in their empire. However, systematic evangelization began in the 19th century with the missionaries of the Congregation of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP).

In 1883, the Apostolic Vicariate of Mongolia was established, covering a vast region of the steppe. The missionaries had to adapt to the nomadic culture of the Mongols and to the extreme conditions of the continental climate.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Hohhot

The cathedral of Hohhot, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was built in 1924 by the missionaries of the Divine Word. The building, of a modest neo-Gothic style, has served as the center of Catholic life in the region. The cathedral has been restored after the damage of the Cultural Revolution.

Persecution and survival

During the Cultural Revolution, the Hohhot Cathedral was closed and desecrated. The Catholic community was severely persecuted. However, faith survived in the underground, maintaining the Marian traditions of the region.

Hohhot today

Today, the Catholic community of Hohhot is still active. The cathedral celebrates regular masses and is the centre of Marian devotion for the faithful of Inner Mongolia.