Red brick walls rise before us. These walls belong to St. Ignatius Cathedral. It is a stunning example of French medieval Gothic architecture. St. Ignatius Cathedral stands as a testament to faith and history in Shanghai.
Let’s step closer. Notice the white stone pillars that support its grand structure. The blue-gray slate roofs add to its imposing presence. The cathedral’s twin bell towers reach high into the sky. These towers dominate the skyline.
St. Ignatius Cathedral is also known as Xujiahui Cathedral. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Shanghai. St. Ignatius was the founder of the Jesuits. He is honored as the patron saint of this church.
Originally, Xujiahui was a small village. Xu Guangqi was a prime minister in the late Ming Dynasty. He mentioned Xujiahui in his book about agricultural development. Xu Guangqi studied both Chinese and Western cultures. This made Xujiahui a region for cultural exchange.
Under the influence of the Jesuits, Xu Guangqi became a devout Christian. Many people in Xujiahui followed him. They formed a local Christian group. Even during the “hundred years of banned Christianity,” their faith persisted.
The Jesuits re-entered China in 1842. Claude Gotteland chose Xujiahui as their missionary base in 1847. The Jesuits built a church in 1851 on the west bank of Zhao Jiabang. This was the old cathedral of Xujiahui.
The Jesuits decided to rebuild the church in 1905. The new St. Ignatius Cathedral was completed in 5 years. On October 23, 1910, a special sacrament was held. St. Ignatius was declared the patron of the church. It could hold 2,500 believers. It was known as the “First Catholic Church in the Far East”.
The church faces east. Its design forms a cross. The scale and beauty made it the first prominent building in Shanghai. The Bishop of Shanghai Diocese and a nunnery were located beside the church.
Xujiahui became the center of Catholicism in Shanghai. Many important Catholic events took place here. In 1924, China’s first national Catholic conference was held at St. Ignatius Cathedral. This conference aimed to integrate the Catholic Church with Chinese culture.
The conference established six Chinese bishops. It also set up local seminaries. They decided to unify the “Catechism”. This meeting encouraged patriotism among Chinese Catholics. During the Anti-Japanese War, the Catholic Church aided the resistance. St. Ignatius Cathedral served as a refugee camp. It protected many lives.
Forty-nine years later, the Xujiahui Cathedral was forced to sever ties with the Vatican. It joined the Catholic Patriotic Association. During the Cultural Revolution, the church was used as a warehouse.
In 1979, the church was allowed to reopen. Repairs began. In 1980, the cathedral officially reopened its doors. On September 25, 1989, the government declared it a Shanghai Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 2013, it became a national key cultural relics protection unit.
St. Ignatius Cathedral continues to be a symbol of faith. Its history reflects Shanghai’s complex past. Take a moment to appreciate its architectural details. Consider the countless stories held within its walls.