Nhà Thờ Chính Lộ

Did the name Huyen Sy ever cross your path? Here at Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ, whispers of his legacy echo through the ages. The official name is the Apostle Church of St. Philippe. But everyone calls it Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ. Huyện Sỹ, born Le Nhat Sy, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the wealthiest landowners in Southern Vietnam in the late 19th century. This very church, built in 1902, stands as a testament to his remarkable journey and unwavering devotion to Catholicism. Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ boasts the largest campus of any church in Ho Chi Minh City. The grandeur doesn’t stop there. This church possesses a unique architectural style. The intricate details reflect the Gothic Romanesque design of Father Bouttier. Its 57-meter bell tower, complete with a cross and a Gallic rooster, pierces the sky. Inside, four bells, cast in France in 1905, still ring with the resonance of history. Two of these bells were generously donated by Huyen Sy’s own son and daughter-in-law. Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ’s interior is a marvel of marble and stained glass. The Italian stained glass windows depict captivating biblical scenes. Statues of saints line the walls, their silent presence a reminder of faith and devotion. Within the church, you’ll find the tombs of Huyen Sy and his wife, Huynh Thi Tai. Their marble effigies, dressed in traditional ao dai, rest atop their final resting place. These elaborate tombs symbolize not only their earthly wealth, but also their spiritual devotion which led to the construction of this very church. Huyen Sy himself passed away in 1900, before the church’s completion. He was later reburied alongside his wife, who died in 1920, within the sanctuary of Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ. So next time you hear the name Huyen Sy, remember the man who rose from boat driver to district official, amassing a fortune and using it to spread his faith. This very church, Nhà thờ Huyện Sỹ, stands as a lasting monument to his remarkable life.