15 Century-old Churches to Visit in Shanghai
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When it comes to distinctive architecture of Shanghai, churches are definitely on the list.
Here are 15 classic churches in Shanghai, each with a unique style.
The Earliest Surviving Christian Church in Shanghai
Holy Trinity Church is the earliest surviving Christian church in Shanghai.
The whole church has a neo-Gothic style.
The building area is about 2240 ㎡.
The clock tower on the left was once one of the tallest points in Shanghai.
It is called the "Red Chapel," as the entire church has red brick walls.
Address: No.219, Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区九江路219号
Amsterdam in Shanghai
There is a Dutch town in Shanghai with iconic Dutch windmills.
The Dutch town is large in scale with Amsterdam-style buildings.
The church is of typical European style.
The town usually has a few tourists and is great for hanging out.
Address: No.4288, Laiyang Road, Pudong New Area
How to find on Chinese maps: 莱阳路4288号
Once the Largest Cathedral in the Far East
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.
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The doors and windows are all pointed Gothic arches, and there are many stone carvings of Saints and Gods.
Photo from VCG
The 64 columns inside the church support the huge arch decor.
Photo from VCG
The top cloister uses a mesh design, and sound can be transmitted to any corner of the church.
Address: No.158, Puxi Road, Xuhui District
How to find on Chinese maps: 徐汇区蒲西路158号
A Landmark at Rockbund
Photo from VCG
Union Church is an old church in Shanghai abandoned for many years.
The church designer is the British architect, Dowdall.
Photo from VCG
There is a chapel on the east and west side of the building, and the bell tower is 33 m high.
The church was subsequently destroyed. Now, under the overall development of the Bund, Union Church has become a gathering spot where culture, creative fashion brands, and professionals come together.
Address: No.107, Suzhou Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 苏州路107号
Highest Building in Thames Town
The church is located in the central area of Thames Town, formerly known as the “Jesus Ascended to Heaven” church.
The church is located in the central area of Thames Town, formerly known as the “Jesus Ascended to Heaven” church.
The building blends English country and Gothic style.
The main building has three spires, each with a cross.
Address: Thames Town, No.610, Lane 999, North Sanxin Road
How to find on Chinese maps: 三新北路泰晤士天主堂
The Only National-style Palace Church
Hongde Temple was built in 1925 and completed in 1928.
This place innovatively blends the Chinese architecture and Western designs.
The exterior of the church has a traditional Chinese temple style, and the hall inside is designed in ancient Roman Basilica style.
The church has recently closed due to renovations.
Address: No.59, Duolun Road, Hongkou District
How to find on Chinese maps: 虹口区多伦路59号
Domes on Xinle Road
Russian Orthodox Mission Church was built in 1933.
The Streets of Shanghai in the 1930s
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In 1931, foreign Orthodox Christians built seven churches in Shanghai, and only this church is well-preserved to date.
The church consists of five drum-shaped domes.
Nine exquisite murals of the church were restored in 2007.
Road: No.55, Xinle Road, Xuhui District
How to find on Chinese maps: 徐汇区新乐路55号
Built by Laszlo Hudec
Mu’en Church was built in 1874 and is an early representation of works by Hudec.
The building area is about 3138 ㎡, and it can accommodate more than 1,000 people simultaneously.
The church’s main entrance faces People’s Square; The whole place has a red brick neo-gothic style.
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The southwest corner has a distinctive tower design.
The church has become a landmark building in People's Square.
Address: No.316, Middle Xizang Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区西藏中路316号
First Church Designed by Hudec in Shanghai
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Sieh Yih Chapel is the first church designed by architect Hudec.
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The exterior of the dome is decorated with copper plates, and after years of oxidation, it now has a unique copper-green color.
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The wall has a light-yellow fish-scale pattern.
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The church’s interior is small, with pointed curved designs and stained glass windows everywhere.
Address: No.17, Kele Road, Changning District
How to find on Chinese maps: 长宁区可乐路17号
The Only Roman Church in Shanghai
All Saints Church is a Christian church built by the American Episcopal Church in 1925.
Covering an area of 1326 ㎡, it can hold 1000 people for events.
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It is a typical 17th-century Anglican church and the only Roman church in Shanghai.
All Saints Church has a dedicated worship service for the blind.
Address: No.425, Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区复兴中路425号
A Church with a Basketball Field
Photo from VCG
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 its original bricks, in Romanesque style with gothic elements.
The church and some surrounding buildings have been preserved.
Address: No.36, South Sichuan Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区四川南路36号
The Location of Sinan Books
St. Nicolas Orthodox Church is one of the two remaining Orthodox churches in Shanghai.
It was built in the 1930s, more than 90 years ago.
The church has Byzantine architecture.
The church has been transformed into the bookstore "Sinan Books."
Sinan Books is 560 ㎡, with more than 6,300 books.
Address: No.16, Gaolan Road, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区皋兰路16号
Canonized by Pope Pius XII
Photo from VCG
Sheshan Marian Basilica was known as a minor Basilica canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1942.
The church is 56 m long from east to west and 25 m wide from north to south.
Photo from VCG
The building incorporates various Greek, Roman, Gothic, and Chinese architectural elements.
Photo from VCG
The church has 3000 seats and can accommodate nearly 4000 believers.
Address: No.9279, Waiqiongsong Road
How to find on Chinese maps: 松江区外青松公路9279号
First Wedding Church
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Yuanshe Church is located in the Yuluxe Sheshan Shanghai Hotel. It is the first wedding church built in a hotel in Shanghai.
Photo from VCG
The church was built in 2005 in a typical western church style.
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It is a popular wedding church in Shanghai.
Address: No.1288, New Linyin Road, Songjiang District
How to find on Chinese maps: 松江区佘山林荫新路1288号
A Unique “人”-shaped building
Photo from VCG
In 1860, the North Presbyterian Church established Pure Heart Church in Shanghai.
Photo from VCG
Pure Heart Church innovatively designed a unique "人"-shaped building layout to follow the traditional Chinese culture of separation of men and women at that time.
Address: No.30, Dachang Street, Huangpu District
How to find on Chinese maps: 黄浦区大昌街30号
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