Our Lady of China of Chenggong - Mary on the coast Amis of Taitung

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In Chenggong, next to the Pacific of Taitung, the parish of Our Lady of China gather Chinese Marian devotion with the life of the Amis communities of the coast. This church is accompanied by small rural missions, a mountain sanctuary and social services for the families of the municipality.

A Chinese advocation on Amis land

The title "Our Lady of China" expresses the confidence of Chinese Catholics in the motherhood and protection of Mary. In Chenggong this devotion is not lived in an abstract way: it is inserted into a coastal population where the indigenous community Amis has its own historical presence.

The Encyclopedia of Indigenous Peoples in Chenggong identifies the Kalahaay or Minfeng community, mainly Amis, and includes the parish among its institutions. The diocese confirms that the liturgy is celebrated in both mandarin and amis.

The advocation therefore unites two dimensions that must not be faced: the communion of Catholics of Chinese tradition and the right of the Amis people to pray and transmit faith from their language and memory.

The beginning of the parish

An academic study on the Missionary Society of Bethlehem and the regional development of Taitung records the Church of Our Lady of China of Chenggong in 1954, a construction in 1955 and a subsequent intervention in the 1986. The chronology corresponds to the great missionary effort developed in eastern Taiwan during the post-war period.

The documentation of the National Archive of Cultural Memory also retains the plans designed by the Swiss brother Julius Felder for the priestly residence of the parish. Felder devoted decades in Taitung not only to ecclesial architecture, but also to educational, medical and cultural initiatives.

Centre of a coastal network

The parish is currently attended by Jiaping, Zhitian, Xiaqilin, Sanminli, Baishoulian, Duli and Xiaoma. GCatholic adds among its dependencies the shrine of the Mountain of Peace of Xiaoma, built in 1980 and recognized as a sanctuary in 1984.

Each chapel retains its own patronage and community; it should not be confused with the temple of Chenggong. The parish functions as a focal point for the Eucharist, catechesis and pastoral accompaniment to reach locations scattered along the coast.

Mary dressed from local culture

Visitors' testimonies describe an outside image of Mary covered with a traditional Amis garment and situated in a frame decorated with shells. This gesture allows us to recognize how a community can express the closeness of the Mother of Jesus with its own signs.

It should not be interpreted as a substitute for the Gospel by folklore. Authentic inculturation is born of the faithful themselves, retains the Christological center of devotion and treats the Amis culture with respect. The photograph or reproduction of these signs should be made without appropriate or separate from their context.

A parish that also takes care of

In 2026, the church was headed by a service centre for indigenous families run by the diocese of Hualien with public support. This activity confirms that the parish area continues to be linked to the social care of the municipality.

Marian devotion thus becomes concrete: listening, guiding and accompanying families facing difficulties. Social services must always protect people's privacy; their stories are not devotional or tourist material.

Our Lady of China and the unity of the Church

In his letter to the Catholics of China, Benedict XVI recalled that the Church is called to live communion, reconciliation and unity, and entrusted that path to Mary. Chenggong's invocation can be prayed with that intention, without making Mary a political emblem or facing cultures or communities.

Mary belongs entirely to Christ and leads to Him. His motherhood brings together those who speak different languages and teaches to look with special closeness to the young, the elderly and vulnerable families.

Verified location

The diocesan directory, the international parish register, the Cultural Archive and public documents agree on Zhonghua Road 150. GCatholic aporta el código 7QM3492J+JF. The individual ficha cartográfica of the católic fence sitúa en 23.1014411, 121.381342.

Another general search offers a point a few hundred meters north-west, but corresponds to a different Christian church. The map uses the point that matches the official address, the Plus code and the Catholic entity.

To visit

The church is an active parish and community service headquarters. The updated schedule should be confirmed, pastoral and social activities should be respected and the centre's users should not be photographed. To visit the dependent missions or the Xiaoma shrine it is necessary to treat them as different places and to check their accessibility.

Prayer to Our Lady of China of Chenggong

Our Lady of China, Mother of Jesus and our mother, accompanies Chenggong and the communities of his coast. Save the Amis people, their tongue, their families and their elders. Unite those who come from different cultures, strengthen catechists and servants and protect those who seek help in this parish. Take us to Christ and make us builders of communion, reconciliation and peace. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Diocese of Hualien: direction, liturgical language, time and related communities.
• diocesan Directory: official title and parish network.
• GCatholic: identity, jurisdiction, missions and location.
• Academic study of the history of Eastern Taiwan: chronology of the parish and its missions.
• National Archive of Cultural Memory: plans of the residence and work of Julius Felder.
• Encyclopedia of Indigenous Peoples: Kalahaay community and parish presence.
• Indigenous Peoples Council: Chenggong Family Services Centre in 2026.
• Benedict XVI: Letter to the Catholics of China and Marian Consent.

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