カトリック清瀬教会

Beneath the whispering pines of Kiyose, a beacon of faith stands. This is the Catholic Kiyose Church, a testament to resilience and community. Kiyose Catholic Church has a rich history, intertwined with the growth of this Tokyo suburb. Established in July 1936, the church’s beginnings were humble. The world outside grappled with rising militarism. Yet, Kiyose remained a peaceful haven, a rural landscape dotted with sanatoriums. The church was initially founded by Father Joseph Flaujac of the Paris Mission Society in Umezono, Kiyose City, on land belonging to the Congregation of Japanese Sisters of Bethany. Just a few years later, in 1940, the Society of Mary purchased land near the Seibu Line’s Kiyose Station. They envisioned a large novitiate monastery, nestled amidst a pine coppice. This monastery miraculously survived World War II. Sadly, it succumbed to a devastating electrical fire in 1947. A simple Nissen hut rose from the ashes. As Kiyose urbanized, the monastery relocated to Oiso in 1958. Tokyo Archdiocese then acquired a portion of the land, supported by Cologne Archdiocese. This marked the birth of the Kiyose Catholic Church we see today. The original church in Umezono was renamed Akitsu Catholic Church. Kiyose Catholic Church continued to evolve. In 1968, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was erected. The parsonage expanded in 1970. Renovations breathed new life into the aging chapel in 1975. By 1988, a new parsonage and assembly hall stood proudly, fostering community spirit. Today, Kiyose Catholic Church serves a diverse community of over 1,300 parishioners. Its convenient location, near Kiyose Station, makes it accessible. Even those from neighboring cities are drawn here, thanks to ample parking. On the first Sunday of each month, the church hosts a Tagalog mass, welcoming approximately 200 Filipino attendees. Kiyose Catholic Church is more than just a building. It is a vibrant hub of faith, a sanctuary for a diverse community, and a symbol of enduring hope in the heart of Tokyo.