“Parish church,” the quiet descriptor hardly prepares you for the story of Tap Mun Church. The Tap Mun Church stands as a testament to faith in the Futian District. It is a story that begins in the mid-19th century.
Christianity’s introduction to the Shenzhen area started in 1846. The Basel Mission and Rhenish Missionary Society were instrumental. They established 27 churches and missions. These were mainly in Bao’an.
The old church was originally founded in 1898. The Rhenish Missionary Society built it in Luohu District. It underwent reconstruction in 1949.
However, the winds of change swept through in 1966. The Cultural Revolution saw the church repurposed. It became an office for the local government. Church staff returned home to work on farms. All religious activities ceased.
Hope flickered again after Deng Xiaoping’s return to politics. On May 27, 1984, the church doors reopened. Worship resumed.
In 1998, the Shenzhen government allocated land for a new church. It was a 4,400 square meter plot in Meilin Huaguo Hill, Futian District. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 3, 1999. Construction finished in August 2000. The new church opened on December 9, 2001. Local believers funded the construction with donations. They contributed over 90% of the 30 million yuan cost. The new Tap Mun Church covers 8,265 square meters. It reaches a height of 28 meters.
Today, Tap Mun Church holds three Sunday services. One is at 9:00 am. Another takes place at 12:00 pm. The last one is at 7:30 pm. Weekday meetings occur from Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 am.
To reach Tap Mun Church, take subway Line 9. Get off at Xiameilin Station. Exit from Exit C and walk to Xiameilin Market Bus Stop. Transfer to bus No. 374, 201, or 67. Get off at Meilin Second Village Bus Stop. Alternatively, take bus No. 30, 35, 44, 45, 60, 67, 201, 207, 240, 242, 324, or 361. Alight at Meilin Second Village Bus Stop.
Tap Mun Church is more than bricks and mortar. It represents resilience. It signifies the enduring spirit of faith. It mirrors a community’s devotion. As you stand here, remember its story. It has humble beginnings, suppression, and rebirth. It shows the strength found in shared belief.