Yong’En Church

Opened in 2024, Yong’En Church stands as a testament to modern architecture and community faith. This striking structure, designed by the award-winning architectural team Abalos+Sentkiewicz AS+, isn’t your typical church building. From some angles, Yong’En Church resembles a smooth, white pebble, while from others, it evokes the image of an ark embarking on a voyage. The church sits in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, a vibrant hub of activity. Its location near metropolitan railway infrastructures influenced its longitudinal design. Yong’En Church isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a place where people gather to worship and connect. The main chapel holds up to 600 people, while an auxiliary hall provides space for another 200. In October 2024, the church held a special dedication ceremony, marked by a thanksgiving service with 300 attendees. Leaders from the municipal government and Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM), along with pastoral staff and members of the congregation from across Shanghai, joined the celebration. During the service, Reverend Yu Guangzhi, chairperson of the Shanghai Christian Council, delivered a powerful sermon titled “A New Commandment”. He reminded everyone that the true essence of a church lies not only in its physical structure but also in the love shared among its members. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong connection to Christ, serving society, and living by the Lord’s teachings. The dedication also marked the establishment of Yong’En Church’s first democratic management organization. This initiative aligns with the municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau’s vision for religious venues to serve as platforms for talent development, international exchange, innovative management, and practical demonstration. The journey to the completion of Yong’En Church began in January 2017 when its foundation was laid. The construction, completed in October 2018, involved not only the main church building but also a four-story office building to the south, topped with a bell tower. The total construction cost was approximately 25 million yuan. The church started trial operations in July 2024. Yong’En Church represents a new chapter in the story of Christianity in Shanghai, a beacon of faith in the dynamic Pudong New Area.