In Fujian Province, the cities of Fuzhou, Luoyuan, and Quanzhou are home to four Christian churches, each designed by young German architect Dirk U. Moench. These include Huaxiang (Flower Lane) Church, Jianxin Church, Luoyuan Church, and Julong Town Church. Of these, Luoyuan Church has long been a destination I have eagerly anticipated visiting.
On June 19, I had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Luoyuan Bay and explore Luoyuan Church.
The history of Christianity in the Luoyuan area dates back to the late Qing Dynasty. In 1865, missionaries arrived in Luoyuan County and established a Christian hospital. By 1867, they began spreading the gospel and founded the Luoyuan Chengguan Church. Around 1900, the Church of England provided support for the establishment of the Zenana Mission Loyuan Hospital, which initially focused on treating female patients. Over time, the hospital expanded to include a male division, becoming a vital healthcare institution in Luoyuan.
Sister Fan, a member of the Luoyuan Church office, recounted that about 20 years ago, as part of urban expansion, Luoyuan County developed Binhai New Town in Luoyuan Bay, often referred to as the "Hawaii of Eastern Fujian." This new area quickly attracted many residents from both the local community and surrounding regions, leading to a significant population boom and a surge in the number of local Christians. Consequently, the need for additional Christian gathering places became a priority.
After several years of hard work, Luoyuan Church finally celebrated its dedication ceremony on February 9, 2019.
The designer of Luoyuan Church adapted the building to fit the irregular contours of its plot, allowing the architecture to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment. From a bird's-eye view, the church resembles Mary cradling Jesus in her arms, gently opening her embrace to the world. It also evokes the image of an ear, attentively listening to the divine whispers from above. The design draws inspiration from the stylistic elements and cultural significance of tulou, a traditional enclosed and residential earth building in Fujian.
Sister Fan shared, "The facade of Luoyuan Church spans 1,412 square meters and comprises 107,707 individual pieces of traditional stained glass. This modern double-skin facade system displays 21 color tones, transitioning from deep blue to light yellow and bright white across both the church's inner and outer layers."
She continued, "The inner layer, themed 'De Profundis,' represents the depths of the blue ocean, inviting believers to experience a profound baptism of the soul, as well as the salvation and the rebirth of faith. It is a portrayal of the inner world. In contrast, the outer layer, titled 'Spiritus Sanctus,' serves as the church's call to the outside world. The blue glass represents a flame that radiates from the center, extending outward in an infinite cycle."
Additionally, Fan noted that Luoyuan Church received a special commendation award from the 2014 Leading European Architects Forum (LEAF). This prestigious accolade is one of the highest honors in global architectural design, often referred to as the "Oscar" of the architectural world.
(The article was originally published by the Gospel Times, and the author is a Christian in Fuzhou, Fujian.)
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Joyce Leung
