Nhà thờ Ba Thôn

Amidst the bustling cityscape of Ho Chi Minh City, stands a beacon of faith known as Nhà thờ Ba Thôn, or the Church of the Three Villages. This unassuming yet historically rich church, dedicated to Saint John Bosco, has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the decades. Nhà thờ Ba Thôn’s story began in 1965. Natural disasters forced families from Bình Định province to seek refuge in the south. Father Trường of the Tuy Phước Diocese guided them to their new home. Within months, over 100 families settled in the Phú Hòa Hưng area. Initially, they attended mass at Saint Anthony Church under the care of the Redemptorist Fathers. However, due to the shortage of priests, they often had to travel to nearby churches like Xóm Mới, Nhị Bình, and Tân Quy. The community sustained themselves through pig farming, poultry raising, and cultivating the land. The fall of Saigon in 1975 marked a turning point. On June 24, 1975, Father Gioan Nguyễn Văn Ty of the Salesians of Don Bosco was appointed by Archbishop Phaolô Nguyễn Văn Bình to establish the parish. He arrived with four brothers. In August 1975, the Redemptorist Fathers returned, and Father Ty and his brothers moved to Saint Anthony School. The school, comprising three rows of single-story buildings, became their new base. They used one side for living quarters. For mass, they utilized the original church building or the Minh Thành Chapel. Brother Văn established a mutual aid society, choosing Saint Dominic Savio as its patron. Initially, the nuns and officials managed all activities. But soon, the nuns invited older members to join the choir, led by Bắc Chung of the Cecilia choir. Later, Father Ty renovated the central space of Saint Anthony School to serve as a temporary church. Families, both old and new to the area, whose livelihoods were affected by the changing economy, joined the growing congregation. Around 30 families remained, forming the core of the community. A representative committee was formed, headed by Phêrô Lê Ngọc Hảo, along with Stêphanô Lê Tống, Gioankim Phan Đình Hoàng, Phaolô Nguyễn Văn Tâm, and Vincent Trần Văn Thủy. In 1985, a Parish Council was formed under the leadership of Anton Trần Văn Chung. The following year, the parish divided into three zones: Mân Côi, Truyền Tin, and Fatima, each led by a designated head. By 1990, a fourth zone, Luân Trì, emerged from Mân Côi. Since 1976, Father Ty had established a vocation program for the mutual aid society, overseen by Brother Đại. This program yielded the parish’s first two vocations: Brother Phanxicô Xaviê Trần Hoàng Long and Father Vincentê Nguyễn Văn Hùng. The parish continued to grow, attracting many newcomers, including students from the nearby Electrical Engineering School who came for mass. The priests encouraged them to participate in parish activities. The afternoon mass was dedicated to the youth, leading to the formation of the Kỷ Thuật choir, which evolved into the current youth choir. Over time, more brothers joined the community, though few stayed long. In 1979, Brother Phêrô Hoàng Văn Sơ arrived, eventually becoming the main priest, succeeding Father Ty. In 1983, permission was granted to build a new church. Construction began in 1984 and completed in 1987. On October 1, 1987, during the feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Archbishop Phaolô Nguyễn Văn Bình consecrated the new church. It was named Don Bosco Ba Thôn. The era of Saint Anthony Church had ended. Nhà thờ Ba Thôn’s story is one of resilience, faith, and community.