Most Beautiful Churches in Beijing (4) -Gangwashi Presbyterian Church

By Alice WangOctober 6th, 2016

Of the many architectural and historic attractions in Beijing, the city's Christian churches may not be on the regular tourist agenda, but they are well worth a tour.

Christianity was first introduced into China in the seventh century. The first Protestant missionaries came in 1807. The efforts of Western missionaries to spread Christianity in China reached a peak at the dawn of the 20th Century and were concurrent with incursions by the imperialist powers which semi-colonized parts of the country. Many Christian institutions established beachheads throughout China, building churches, schools, and other institutions. Most Beijing churches were built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and have been refurbished many times.

The following are the seven major churches in Beijing:

(4) Gangwashi Christian Church

Beijing's oldest Protestant Church, recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of it's founding by missionaries from the London Missionary Society.
Beijing's oldest Protestant Church, recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding by missionaries from the London Missionary Society.

The Gangwashi was first rented for a hospital by the Christian and Missionary Alliance of London in 1863, and also used for religious services. In 1903, alliance members bought more land from a local landlord for expansion.

In 1922, it was rebuilt and members joined the Chinese Christian Society. The complex included a church, a hospital, and a school.

Its services stopped during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976) but resumed in 1986.

In 1989, Chinese-Korean Christians in Beijing began to use the church for their own services.

Since the reopening in the 1980s, this church went from a hundred followers to more than 6,000 today. The believers are active and take part in many activities to help others: assistance to disadvantaged people, visit hospitals, visits in jail... 

Located in Xisi, the Gangwashi Presbyterian Church hosts a very dynamic Christian parish in Beijing.
Located in Xisi, the Gangwashi Presbyterian Church hosts a very dynamic Christian parish in Beijing.
 
The church manages a bookshop with religious book in Chinese language.
The church manages a bookshop with religious books in the Chinese language. (Photo: beijinglocation)

The main activities are scheduled as follows:

On Sunday :

4 Services:
- 1st : 7:00 - 8:30 am
-2nd:  8:30 - 10:00 am with English translation available
- 3rd: 10:00 - 11:30 am with English translation available
- 4th:  7:00 - 8:00 pm

Note: Special Service for Chinese-Korean ethnic minority at 1 pm

Weekdays:

Masses are held regularly, but on weekdays the focus is set on special activities :
- Tuesday : 7:00 - 8:30 pm Bible studies (in Chinese)
- Wednesday: 8:30 - 9:30 am prayer session
- Thursday: 19:00 - 20:30 Bible studies for children (in Chinese)
- Friday: 8:30 - 9:30 women's meeting

How to Get There :

Xisi subway station (line 4), exit D, walk around 10 minutes southwards

Address:

北京基督教会缸瓦市堂
北京市西四南大街57号
57 Xisi S St, Xicheng, Beijing, China

Tel: +86 10 6617 6181
page web: http://www.gwshcc.org/

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