Běijīng Sights

South Cathedral

#15 of 517 things to do in Běijīng

#11 of 712 religious, spiritual sights in Asia

1 reviews | Write a review

  • Address
    • 141 Qianmen Xidajie Xidān Nántáng
  • Transport
    • Xuanwumen
  • Hours
    • Mass in Latin 6am Sun-Fri, in English 10am Sun

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Lonely Planet review for South Cathedral

Běijīng’s South Cathedral was built on the site of the house of Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, who brought Catholicism to China. Since being completed in 1703, the church has been destroyed three times, including being burnt down in 1775, and endured a trashing by anti-Christian forces during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The church is today decorated with modern stained glass, fake marbling, red carpets, portraits of the Stations of the Cross and cream-coloured confessionals, while black bibles in Chinese lie stacked about and the occasional local nun makes an appearance. All manner of crucifixes can be bought from the religious artefacts shop, near the statue of St Francis Xavier in the courtyard out the front.

 

Traveller reviews for South Cathedral (1)

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    enjoyed their spirit

    josephmpowers recommends this,

    There are more spectacular examples of church architecture, but....I happened upon this church late Saturday afternoon when they were preparing for Mass. I stayed and participated and was greatly surprised. This church held a large and enthusiastic congregation which celebrated the Mass in a "charismatic" fashion. It was standing room only, and the priest was funny and enthusiastic. There were old, young, families, and singles present. I'm not sure if they're in fully good graces with the Vatican, but I think Matteo Ricci, SJ, would be proud of the church that sits on his home site.

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