Shanghai Church Services this Christmas
Religion hasn’t exactly swept the nation around here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go find you some Jesus this Christmas. Here’s our list of gorgeous churches to ring in the holiday with your holiest of spirits.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Address: 270 Chongqing South Road
This beautiful church originally had Byzantine style with a central dome and five chapels. Many parishioners found refuge here during the Sino-Japanese war, and it was used as a cultural center during the cultural revolution. The space was dedicated so a small amount of religious worship in the mid eighties and then completely modernized with enormous colored stained-glass windows in 1995.
Midnight Mass, Dec. 24 (Saturday): 8:30p.m.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Sunday): 11am
ST. IGNATIUS CATHEDRAL (XUJIAHUI CATHEDRAL)
Address: 158 Puxi Road, Xuhui
St. Ignatius, also known as the Xujiahui Cathedral, was built by the Jesuits in 1910. The sprawling and majestic space can hold up to 2,500 people and is idyllic for a wedding, church service or Christmas sermon. With the main cathederal in renovations, Christmas service will be held in the smaller chapel next to the Cathederal.
Midnight Mass, Dec. 24 (Saturday):10pm (collect tickets for midnight mass on Dec. 18th)
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Sunday): 12pm
ST. JOSEPH CHURCH
Address: No. 36 Sichuan nan Lu, Huangpu district
Saint Joseph's Church is located in Dashijie. It is also occasionally referred to as Yángjīngbāng Church. It was built by father Louis Hélot in 1860, and was consecrated in 1862. It still maintains it’s original brick, in the Romanesque style with gothic elements.
Midnight Mass, Dec. 24 (Saturday): 4pm
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Sunday): 11am
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Address: 151 Hongfeng Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the oldest churches east of the Huangpu River, dating back to 1774. The original foundation was torn down in the 90’s, but was rebuilt in 2003 in Jinqiao. There’s always a full and festive schedule of events during Christmas and New Years.
Midnight Mass, Dec. 24 (Saturday): 9pm
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Sunday): 10:30am
SHANGHAI COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP
Address: 53 Hengshan Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu
Community Fellowship is one of Shanghai’s largest churches, and can seat up to 1,400 people. It was founded back in1925 as a multi-denominational Christian community. Today it has members from over 60 countries throughout the world. Its church services are legendary in Shanghai.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Sunday): 7:30am,10am,7:00pm