Did the Dong family ever imagine their pier would become the namesake of a grand cathedral? Right here, before us, stands Dongjiadu Catholic Church. It’s also known as St. Francis Xavier Church. This church boasts a rich history, deeply entwined with the story of Catholicism in Shanghai. Dongjiadu Catholic Church isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to resilience, a symbol of faith, and a masterpiece of architecture.
The story of Dongjiadu Catholic Church begins after the Opium War. The Qing government, initially tolerant of Catholicism, confiscated the original Catholic church in Shanghai. They converted it into a shrine and school. However, in 1848, the government offered restitution in the form of land. Bishop Louis de Besi selected a plot at Dongjiadu, the Dong family’s pier, to build a new church. He dedicated it to St. Francis Xavier, China’s first Christian missionary.
Construction took six years, beginning in 1848 and culminating in the first service in 1853. The church’s inauguration was a grand affair. A French cruiser fired a celebratory salvo as the consecration ceremony took place. Dongjiadu Catholic Church became the central church of the Southern Yangtze Parish, a position it held until the construction of Xujiahui Catholic Church in 1910.
The church’s design reflects the grandeur of European Jesuit churches. The Spanish Jesuit, Joanne Ferrer, modeled it after St. Ignatius Cathedral in Rome. However, limited funds led to modifications. The grand dome and stained-glass windows were scrapped. A Baroque gable was added, and the Chinese characters for “Catholic Church” were prominently displayed. Inside, the arched ceiling of the main hall creates impressive acoustics. Green panels adorn the ceiling, and a beautiful relief sculpture of China graces its apex. Thick pillars, each four meters around, support the structure. A spiral staircase, hidden within one of these pillars, leads to the choir loft.
Ferrer, a talented artist influenced by his sculptor father, made Shanghai his home. He established a workshop to create the necessary artwork for Dongjiadu Church. He also trained Chinese students in sculpting, painting, and engraving. His contribution to Shanghai extended beyond Catholicism, encompassing the introduction of Western art. Sadly, Ferrer died young in 1856, at the age of 39, within the very church he designed. Dongjiadu Catholic Church continues to inspire awe and reverence. It stands as a symbol of faith and a reminder of the intertwining histories of China and the West.