Fuzhou Huaxiang Church - Retro and Fresh

Fuzhou Huaxiang Church, a religious building with a history of nearly a hundred years, is located at No. 7, Huaxiang, 817 North Road, Dongjie, Gulou District, Fuzhou City. It is not only one of the main churches in Fuzhou City, but also an important activity center for the provincial and municipal Christian churches. Its predecessor was called "Shangyou Church". As a part of Fuzhou Christian Methodist Church, it originated in 1915. At that time, the American Association bought this place and established a church for social purposes, so it was named "Shangyou Church", which means "social church". During the Qing Dynasty, this land was the palace of the Ryukyu King "Zhaoxin", witnessing the changes of history. On September 5, 1915, the first Protestant baptism ceremony was held in the church, marking the official use of the church. In 1938, the church was rebuilt and became the only granite wall church in Fuzhou City, adding a sense of solemnity and solidity. After 1949, the Chinese Christian Church broke off relations with foreign churches. During the subsequent Cultural Revolution, church activities were forced to stop. On October 28, 1979, Huaxiang Church was the first to reopen in Fuzhou City, restoring normal religious activities, and temporarily serving as a worship meeting place shared by all denominations. The name of the church was also changed from "Shangyou Church" to "Huaxiang Church". In 2017, a new Huaxiang Christian Church was built on the north side of the original Huaxiang Church. The architectural style of the old church is somewhat subtly similar. The streamlined roof and softer arched windows are a new era interpretation of the Gothic spire and vertical long windows of the old stone house church. Since the reopening of the church, Huaxiang Church has continued to grow and develop. In 1982 and 1985, the church ordained 43 pastors, providing more solid faith support for believers. At the same time, the church also actively exchanges and cooperates with international friends and colleagues. Since 1979, it has received 3,000 international friends and colleagues from more than 40 countries and regions, not only showing the openness and tolerance of the church, but also promoting the friendly exchanges between the Christian community in Fujian Province and people at home and abroad. Today, Huaxiang Church is full of seekers, and the number of believers is increasing day by day; the church's pastoral system is gradually improving, providing more comprehensive and in-depth faith guidance for believers. Under the guidance of faith, Huaxiang Church is moving towards revival step by step, becoming a bright pearl in the Christian community in Fujian Province.