Beijing churches
If you attend church regularly at home, there’s no need to miss a Sunday service when you’re in Beijing.
Many people find attending a church service in a country that professes atheism to be profoundly moving. Others attend church regularly at home, and don’t want to miss a Sunday when they’re traveling. And there are those who view attending church in a foreign country as a cultural experience. China’s official policy is one of religious tolerance but there are reports of Chinese being persecuted for their Christian faith. It is up to an individual’s conscience to decide if he wants to attend church under these conditions. For those who do, Beijing churches offer services for both Catholics and Protestants. Catholic Churches in Beijing There are eight Catholic churches in Beijing and other churches in the suburbs, with three cathedrals being most convenient for travelers. Travelers who go to one of them will think they’ve just stepped into a gothic European cathedral. The cathedrals, built by Portuguese Jesuits, stand out in a land of pagodas and Buddhist temples. Do note the churches are not tourist destinations and are open only for Masses; tourists coming just to look need to be respectful of worshipers. St. Joseph’s is probably the most visible to travelers as it is located at the north end of the Wangfujing pedestrian mall. The 6 a.m. Sunday Mass is in Latin; the 7 and 8 a.m. services are in Chinese. The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, commonly known as South Church, is home to Beijing’s bishop. It is located near the Line 2 subway stop at Xuanwumen. Sunday Masses are 6 a.m. (Latin), 7 and 8 a.m. (Chinese), and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (English). St. Michael’s Church is located in an old embassy district a couple of blocks south of Chang’an, Beijing’s main drag. Sunday Masses are at 7 and 8 a.m., and 6 p.m., all in Chinese. |
Protestant Churches in Beijing Church options are more limited for Protestants, but several churches do serve them. Beijing Baptist Church holds Bible study at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, followed by a 10:30 a.m. worship service. The church meets at 3/F in the CTS Hotel at #2 Beisanhuan Donglu (northeast Third Ring Road), and is a short walk southwest of the subway Line 10 stop at Sanyuanqiao. Beijing International Christian Fellowship is open to foreign passport holders only; visitors will be asked to show their passports. An English service is held at 11:30 a.m. Sundays at the 21st Century Hotel at 40 Liangmaqiao in the Chaoyang District. Services are held at other times in other languages. Beijing Chongwenmen Christian Church was the first American Methodist Church in Beijing. It was built in 1870, and is located at #2 Hougou Alley not too far from the Chongwenmen subway stop on Lines 2 and 5. Services are held throughout the day on Sundays. |
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Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2012 by Cheryl Probst. All rights reserved.