【Six Milestones Along the Wuling Road in the Past and Present of Xueshan】
【Three Major Landmarks in Lishan District】
【Lishan Hotel, Daguan Pavilion, and Lishan Jesus Church】
【Three Great Churches Built by Chiang Kai-shek】
【Lishan Christ Church】
The churches built by Chiang Kai-shek include:
Taipei’s Kai-Ge Church, Sun Moon Lake Jesus Church, and Lishan Jesus Church;
I don’t have a deep impression of Kai-Ge Church, and I don’t know where it is;
But I have a deep impression of the churches at Sun Moon Lake and Lishan;
I remember that the Sun Moon Lake Jesus Church is also very beautiful, located on the Lalu Peninsula next to the lake, which is a popular spot for internet celebrities and wedding photography.
Lishan also retains three major landmarks left by Chiang Kai-shek;
they are the Lishan Hotel, the Tianchi Daguan Pavilion at Fushoushan Farm,
and the Lishan Jesus Church.
After recently visiting the Lishan Jesus Church, the three major Chiang Kai-shek landmarks in Lishan are now complete.
I’ll share the full details of Lishan Hotel and Tianchi Daguan Pavilion at Fushoushan Farm next time.
See the photo brochure for details above; I’ve passed by Lishan Christian Church in the past but never went in. This time, I finally had the chance to visit. It was almost 5 pm that day, and I originally planned to go inside after taking photos, but an indigenous friend told me;
Come back tomorrow morning at 10:00 am, he wants to give me a special introduction!
Actually, just looking at the exterior of the building from the outside, even before stepping into the church, is very attractive. It’s a Gothic church building.
Lishan Jesus Church is built in the Gothic style.
The main building is shaped like a cross, with a fountain and circular plaza in front. A freestanding bell tower sits atop the building, and the main entrance bears the three large characters “Jesus Church” inscribed by Chiang Kai-shek. The Lishan Jesus Church is the highest-altitude church in Taiwan. Built under the leadership of former President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling, it was completed on December 25, 1969. The architectural style is a Gothic church building with a subtle, understated approach, incorporating local materials. Six camellia trees are planted on each side of the entrance, totaling 12 trees representing the 12 apostles of Jesus. The building also incorporates Atayal-style decorations, with totem patterns on the pillars, giving the Lishan Jesus Church a unique style. The large bell is a bronze bell with a diameter of 103 cm and a height of approximately 110 cm, weighing 0.5 metric tons. It was registered as a historical building in Taichung City in 2014. Located at the highest point of Lishan Mountain at an altitude of 2011 meters, it is currently the highest church in Taiwan, making this “church in the clouds” one of the most popular photo spots in Lishan.
The interior of the church is also full of details. The window at the front is the only domed window in the entire church, representing the hand of prayer. The ceiling is made of rare red cypress wood, and the staircase leading to the top bell tower has a “handrail-less” transparent design. When sunlight shines in through the windows, the light and shadow create a beautiful and artistic scene. “Angel wings and that ray of light” are now a distinctive feature of Lishan Jesus Church. Don’t miss capturing this wonderful scene when you have the chance to visit. Lishan Jesus Church was built under the leadership of former President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling, and was completed on December 25, 1969. Six camellia trees are planted on each side of the entrance, representing the twelve apostles of Jesus. The architecture incorporates Atayal style, with totem patterns on the pillars. The original owner, the Chinese Women’s Prayer Society, accepted the suggestion of Pastor Zhou Lianhua and agreed to donate it to the Tayal Chinese Church. The building was registered as a historical building in Taichung City in 2014, and the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration spent NT$42.7 million on its renovation. The Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration pointed out that the Lishan Jesus Church had been abandoned for many years after the 921 earthquake in 1999. The original owner, the Chinese Women’s Prayer Society, decided to donate it to the Tayal Chinese Church free of charge. However, the building had fallen into disrepair over the years, and the roof was severely damaged and leaking. In 2019, the Taichung City Cultural Heritage Office subsidized the simple repair of the church roof, and the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration assisted in the subsequent restoration. ”
The above comes from the Internet
“Angel wings and that ray of light” are now a unique feature of Lishan Jesus Church. Don’t miss capturing this wonderful scene when you visit; it’s truly special. When led into the church by a guide, remember to take photos and enjoy the scent of cypress wood and the tranquility inside! Currently maintained by the local indigenous people and the church, local dried fruits are available for purchase inside the church. Everyone is welcome to buy some to support the maintenance of the site!
https://www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw/zh-tw/attraction/8
https://www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw/zh-tw/attraction/8