“Imagine this. It is 1930. This very ground beneath our feet was once a swamp. Thick with overgrown trees. Can you picture it? This was a meeting place for the poor. They came from all over Vietnam. North, Central, and South. They were seeking a livelihood. These first Catholic settlers belonged to the parish of Ph\u00fa \u0110a in the Diocese of H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i. They came here to build their lives. They lived by growing vegetables. They also planted rice.” I say.
“By 1955, the number of believers had grown. It was about 700 people. That is around 100 families. This area was called X\u00f3m ch\u00f9a Ph\u1ed5 Hi\u1ec1n then. It was named this way because there was a temple nearby. Its name was Ph\u1ed5 Hi\u1ec1n.” I add.
“The need for religious services grew. The road to B\u00e0 Chi\u1ec3u church was far. It was also difficult to travel. Road transport was not yet developed then. Some elders wanted to build a chapel. It would belong to the B\u00e0 Chi\u1ec3u church. It would serve the local community.” I explain to you.
“The idea seemed too big. Especially for the poor. They were mostly craftsmen, vegetable farmers and construction workers. But God always cares for the little ones. He blessed this community. He gave them hard-working people. They were full of ideas. They had the necessary virtues. They overcame those obstacles.” I narrate.
“These first seeds tried everything. Some contributed labor. Others gave materials. They managed to buy three leaf houses. Each measured 3m x 16m. They renovated them. They leveled the ground. It became an 8m x 21m area. Nh\u00e0 Th\u1edd Ph\u00fa Hi\u1ec1n was taking shape.” I explain.
“With materials from B\u00e0 Chi\u1ec3u church, the parishioners worked hard. They worked to realize their dream. During the day, they worked to earn a living. At night, they built the chapel by lamplight. The area did not have electricity then. The first chapel was 12m x 6m. It had a tiled roof. The walls were wooden panels. The floor was cement. The doors were wooden. It was completed in 15 days. A record.” I pause to let you take it all in.
“In 1957, Father Ph\u00earu00f4 Nguy\u1ec5n Ng\u1ecdc B\u00edch arrived. He belonged to Ph\u00fa \u0110a parish, H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i. He moved to the South. He planned to retire in X\u00f3m M\u1edbi in G\u00f2 V\u1ea5p. But he saw the longing of the people. They were far from their homeland. With the approval of the Father of B\u00e0 Chi\u1ec3u. He changed his plans. He made this place his home.” I continue.
“In 1962, Father Ph\u00earu00f4 Nguy\u1ec5n Ng\u1ecdc B\u00edch rebuilt the church. He added rooms. These rooms were for teaching. They were also for the M\u00e2n C\u00f4i T\u01b0\u01a1ng T\u1ebf association. Bishop Phaol\u00f4 Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0103n B\u00ecnh consecrated it. This happened on May 13, 1962. The Bishop allowed them to be called C\u1ea7u B\u00f4ng Gia \u0110\u1ecbnh. Father Ph\u00earu00f4 B\u00edch chose Our Lady of the Rosary. She became the patron saint.” I state.
“In 1963, he handed over the parish to Father Phanxic\u00f4 Xavi\u00ea V\u0169 \u0110\u1ee9c Hi\u1ec7p.” I add.
“In 1971, Father Phanxic\u00f4 Xavi\u00ea Hi\u1ec7p created the Parish Pastoral Council. During the first meeting, he and the Council agreed. They petitioned the Bishop. They asked to change the parish name to Ph\u00fa Hi\u1ec1n. This is the name of the parish to this day. So now you know the history behind the Nh\u00e0 Th\u1edd Ph\u00fa Hi\u1ec1n.” I tell you.
“In 1972, Father Hi\u1ec7p renovated the church. It was to accommodate the growing congregation of 1700 people. He also strengthened the catechism classes. He also worked on associations. This helped parishioners live their faith more deeply.” I elaborate.
“Today, Nh\u00e0 Th\u1edd Ph\u00fa Hi\u1ec1n stands as a testament to faith. It is a symbol of community. It all began from humble beginnings. From a swampy area to a thriving parish. Nh\u00e0 Th\u1edd Ph\u00fa Hi\u1ec1n embodies resilience. It shows devotion. It represents the enduring spirit of its people.” I finish my story.