Whispers of faith echo through time. Here before us stands Giáo xứ Cầu Hai a testament to enduring spirituality. For over 300 years this church has witnessed countless stories of devotion. It’s nestled on the Loc Tri Riverbank in Phu Loc District Thua Thien-Hue province. This serene location is about 38 kilometers southeast of Hue’s Archbishop’s office.
The origins of Giáo xứ Cầu Hai are shrouded in the mists of history. Legend speaks of Father Emmanuen Nguyen Van Bon a revered figure in the Hue diocese. He established this parish sometime before 1672. His legacy continues to inspire generations of parishioners.
During the reign of Minh Nguyen Phuc Chu (1691-1723) the parish faced immense challenges. A catastrophic storm in 1698 devastated the region. Hundreds of boats were lost. Father Bon and many others perished during this terrible event. The storm was so violent that it caused the government to briefly ban Catholicism.
For fourteen long years Giáo xứ Cầu Hai was left without a priest. The faithful persevered though their faith was tested. In 1701 Father Labbé’s report confirmed the parish’s existence in Thua Thien. The church continued under the watchful eyes of missionaries like Father Jean-Antoine de la Court. He oversaw many parishes in Hue including Cầu Hai.
The years following saw more trials. The 1861-1862 Phan Sat rebellion resulted in the imprisonment of many Catholics. Some parishioners of Cầu Hai might have been among them. Father Sohier later appointed Father Tephanh Dong Van Hiep as parish priest of Chau Moi. He also oversaw Cầu Hai. However by 1867 Father Sohier’s report did not include Cầu Hai. This may be due to the parish’s devastation during the Phan Sat uprising.
In 1879 Father Pontvianne appointed Father Giuse Tong Van Vinh. He was the pastor of Nuoc Ngoc and also served Cầu Hai. The subsequent years were not easy either. Under the reign of Emperor Ham Nghi in 1883 twelve parishioners of Cầu Hai were murdered. This was during the time of the “Binh Tay Sat Thay” campaign.
Despite these hardships the faith of the community endured. Father Anphong Tran Ba Ly later served both Phu Cam and Cầu Hai from 1885-1890. His ministry helped revive the parish. He was assisted by Fathers Antoine Stoeffler and Eugene Allys. Father Anphong Ly’s efforts strengthened the faith and rebuilt the parish’s community.
The early 20th century saw renewed growth. Father Allys made Cầu Hai the main parish. He also included surrounding hamlets like Da Bac Phuoc Tuong and Chanh Xuan. He encouraged people from Phu Cam to settle and spread the faith. This led to significant population growth. The current church was built in 1991. It stands as a testament to the unwavering faith of generations of parishioners.
Giáo xứ Cầu Hai remains a vibrant community of faith. It’s a place where history tradition and unwavering devotion converge. This is a church that has endured incredible hardship. Its resilience shows the enduring power of faith. The church stands strong a beacon of hope.