Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hsinchu 西門街耶穌聖心

Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Throughout Taiwan, you can find many temples and shrines that showcase the traditional religions and culture of this country. From temple fairs to daily prayers, it is hard not to notice how much Daoism influences the daily lives of people in Hsinchu. While Daoism gets the spotlight, another side of the culture is often neglected by those searching to better understand Taiwanese society. This would be the Christian community.

Although a minority, Christians still make up a great part of Taiwan. From religious posters to towering cathedrals, nearly every community has many families who identify as Christain. While many local churches in Hsinchu reflect Western architecture, there is one Catholic church that is truly unique. This is the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (耶穌聖心堂).

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Friendly Neighbors

It is not uncommon in Taiwan to find a church neighboring a Daoist or a Buddhist Temple. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hsinchu is no exception. Located off of Ximen Road (西門街), this Catholic cathedral is practically in front of Neitianhou Temple (新竹內天后宮). The proximity of these two temples highlights the diversity in Taiwanese culture and religion.

Unlike temples, which are obviously open to the public, travelers may have second thoughts about visiting The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Of course, the unique architecture blending Christian imagery and Taiwanese culture is jaw-dropping. But the high walls surrounding the cathedral make one feel unwelcome. In reality, the church is open to visitors from 7:00 to 8:00.

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East Meets West

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in the year 1972. Since its construction, the cathedral has attracted many curious visitors due to its blending of Western and Asian architecture. The beauty of the church is in great thanks to the artist Monica Liu Ho-pei (劉河北) who painted the glass murals throughout the chapel.

The art doesn’t just stop with the windows. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus seems like a massive art gallery. Images of Asian dragons mixed in with the stations of the cross adorn the inside of the chapel. Traditional lanterns also depict stories from the life of Jesus. There are so many subtle details inside the church, if you’re not careful, you might miss a detail hidden within the architecture.

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Paying Respects

Most days, the church is quite empty. As you timidly open the door to the chapel you’ll find that there is usually not a soul to be found. If you’re not careful, the door will swing shut with a loud bang. At this point, you are sure that someone will come out of the woodwork and ask you to leave. Most likely, you’ll have the entire church to yourself to explore.

While visiting the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hsinchu, it is important to be as respectful as you can. Although there may not be anyone present, be sure to approach all things with a sense of reverence and caution. With as much colorful art and intricate statues built into the church, you want to be sure to leave things the way you saw them.

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Exploring All Sides of Taiwan

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located right in the heart of Hsinchu. Just after you visit the famous Chenghuang Temple and start to make your way to Tiangongtan (天公壇), you’re sure to pass by this breathtaking church. Even though your visit to the church will last under 30 minutes, it is a sight you will not what to miss out on!

Like many places you explore in Hsinchu, the best memories are found off of the beaten path. While strolling down Ximen Road, The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is yet another branch that may lead to even more adventures. No matter if you’re interested in art, religion, or simply what’s behind the next corner, Hsinchu is definitely full of uncovered experiences.

You can find a complete list of all the best things to do in Hsinchu here!