“Noah’s Ark,” someone once said about the Shenzhen Christian Church. Let’s explore its story. This church stands as a beacon of faith in Shenzhen. Its history is rich and resilient.
The story begins in 1846. European evangelists arrived in Shenzhen. Back then it was Bao’an county. They came from the Protestant Basel Mission. Also the Rhenish Missionary Society of Germany sent people. In 1898, the Rhenish group founded a church in Luohu District.
Over the next five decades, the church survived. It weathered the rise and fall of governments. It endured invasion and civil war. In 1949, the People’s Republic of China was born. That same year, the church found a new home. It was at 22 Heping Lu, or Peace Road in Bao’an county.
The Cultural Revolution forced the church to close. Pastors were sent home to farm. Other work units took over the building.
A historic 1978 government meeting changed everything. It kick-started reform. It opened Bao’an county. This restored the freedom to worship. The congregation began to revive. In 1983, the Heping Lu location was reclaimed. By 1984, it was Shenzhen’s first church to resume services. This was after the Cultural Revolution.
The years that followed were kind. The congregation grew. The government granted them land. A new church opened in the Meilin area in 2002. This is the Shenzhen Christian Church. It was designed to resemble Noah’s Ark. The white building has angular lines. It towers over a garden. Inside are halls, offices and dormitories.
The Heping Lu church is gone. But a Christian Peace Church lives on nearby. Also a third building became Christian Luohu Church in 2011.
The Shenzhen Christian Church plays a vital role. It offers services in Chinese and English. It supports families. It provides counseling. The church also organizes camps for seniors. They have calligraphy classes. Photography fellowships also take place. Praise meetings fill the air.
The church has a main building. It stands 28 meters high. The cross reaches 70 meters. Inside, the side hall connects to the main hall. Together they accommodate over 2,000 people. A multi-purpose building offers space. It’s used for worship and parking. There are also conferences and hospitality venues.
Shenzhen Christian Church is a symbol. It stands for salvation and grace. It is a testament to faith. It stands as a landmark in Shenzhen. Its story is a powerful reminder. It reflects resilience and devotion.