日本キリスト教会 夙川教会

Tucked away in the bustling city of Nishimiya, Hyogo, stands the Nippon Kirisuto Kyokai Tsukikawa Kyokai. This unassuming church holds a captivating story, deeply intertwined with the history of Protestantism in Japan. Let’s step back in time to 1872, when the seeds of this church were sown. The roots of the Nippon Kirisuto Kyokai Tsukikawa Kyokai lie in the earliest Protestant church in Japan, founded in Yokohama thanks to the efforts of missionaries from the United Church of Christ in Japan. This nascent church would eventually blossom into the largest Protestant denomination in Japan. The Tsukikawa Kyokai’s journey began much later, in 1951. In April of that year, a group of thirty churches left the former Japanese Christian Church and formed the Nippon Kirisuto Kyokai. The Tsukikawa Kyokai emerged from this movement. In July, a small group, including two children, gathered at a private residence in Takatsuki to hold their first service. This humble gathering marked the birth of the Tsukikawa Kyokai. Over the years, the congregation grew, eventually building a church in Nishimiya’s Sakuramachi neighborhood in 1958. Just a few years later, in May 1962, the church held a dedication ceremony to celebrate its independence, boasting a membership of 56 individuals. The church continued to flourish, moving to its current location in 1965. A new sanctuary was constructed, designed by the architectural firm Ichiyoshi Sha Vauriz. However, tragedy struck in 1995. The Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the region, leaving the church and pastor’s residence in ruins. Undeterred, the congregation rebuilt. In 1998, a new, three-story church was erected on the same site, designed once again by Ichiyoshi Sha Vauriz. Today, the Nippon Kirisuto Kyokai Tsukikawa Kyokai stands as a testament to the resilience and faith of its members. The church continues to serve its community. It offers Sunday School every Sunday, main Sunday services, and prayer meetings every Wednesday. This small church in Nishimiya carries a rich legacy, echoing the larger story of Christianity’s journey in Japan.