Was once known as the grandest church in the Far East. This is the story of the majestic St. Ignatius Cathedral, also known as Xujiahui Catholic Church. Located in the bustling Xujiahui area of Shanghai, this cathedral stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and architectural grandeur.
The story of St. Ignatius Cathedral began in 1851. A medium-sized, Greek-style church was erected. As Catholicism grew in Zikawei a new, larger church was needed. Designed by English architect William Doyle, French Jesuits built it between 1906 and 1910.
Imagine this cathedral in its prime. It could accommodate 2,500 worshippers at once. Its sheer size and beautiful design made it the first building in Shanghai at that time. Red brick walls, white stone pillars, and blue-gray slate roofs soared into the sky. Two bell towers stood tall facing north and south.
But the history of St. Ignatius Cathedral is not without its dark chapters. In 1966, during the Cultural Revolution, Red Guards vandalized the cathedral. They tore down its spires and ceiling. Roughly 300 square meters of stained glass were smashed. Priests and nuns were beaten. Bishop Aloysius Zhang Jiashu knelt at the altar praying. He was dragged away and sent to work repairing umbrellas and washing bottles. For ten long years, the cathedral served as a state-owned grain warehouse.
In 1978, the cathedral was finally re-opened. The spires were restored in the early 1980s. The spirit of the church persevered.
A significant moment occurred in 1989. The first Catholic Mass in Mandarin was celebrated here. Father Thomas Law, Father Joseph Zen, and Father Edward Malatesta led the service.
Restoration efforts continued into the 21st century. In 2002, artist Wo Ye and Father Thomas Lucas began a five-year project. They replaced the stained glass windows. The new windows incorporated Chinese characters and iconography. They were unveiled in time for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
In 2014, an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of China was enshrined. The image was created by Spanish sculptor Antonio Jesús Yuste y Navarro. In 2018, an image of Mary, Help of Christians was enshrined. It came from the Philippines and was created by artisan Thomas Joven.
Today, St. Ignatius Cathedral stands as a symbol of faith. It represents a bridge between cultures. It is a place where tradition meets modernity. As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the history and beauty that surrounds you. This cathedral is not just a building. It is a living testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.