For many Christian visitors to Beijing, a downtown church provides not only a place of worship but also a good place to understand the religion's history in this vast Asian cosmopolitan.
With the Beijing Olympics just around the corner, the main Catholic and Protestant churches in the Chinese capital are expecting an influx of foreign visitors looking for a unique experience of going to a local church.
Christianity first developed in China from at least the seventh century and further grew after the first Protestant missionary set up in 1807. Most Beijing churches were built during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and have been refurbished many times.
Beijing has four major Catholic churches and are more commonly known by their cardinal reference points on the compass rather than religious names. The Xishiku Catholic Church or Church of Savoir are known as Beitang, or North Church.
Non-Catholic religious activity in China started in 1807, led by Robert Morrison's missionary work in the southern part of the country. The Protestant presence in Beijing began in 1861, a year after the provisions of the Peking Convention (an unequal treaty the Qing government were forced to sign allowing foreigners to live in the capital) went into effect.
Since the Chinese constitution was amended in 1982 to allow freedom of religion, the number of Christians in China had steadily grew. By 2006, the number had surpassed 16 million, according to the China Christian Council.
The churches in Beijing function not only as places of worship for thousands of local Christians but also as a reminder of the long history of Christianity in the country and its lasting influence.
Xishiku Catholic Church
Xishiku Catholic Church is the home of the Beijing Cardinal Bishop Office and the city's largest Catholic Church.
It was originally located at Zhongnanhai next to the Forbidden City and was opened on Feb. 9, 1703, as the "Saviour Church." But it was later torn down as a result of the expansion of Zhongnanhai. The church was moved to its current site and rebuilt in an ornate Gothic style in 1887.
The church is now undergoing a renovation as part of the municipal government's plan to have local cultural relics renovated.
Address: 33 Xishiku Dajie (Street), Xi'anmen, Xicheng District
How to get there: Buses 101/103/109 Xishiku stop, five minutes walk
Xuanwumen Catholic Church
Xuanwumen Catholic Church, also known as South Church, is the oldest Catholic Church in Beijing. It was originally the site of a small scripture hall built by Italian missionary Matteo Ricci in 1605. It was later rebuilt by German Jesuit priest J.A. Schall Von Bell in 1650, the first big church in the city.
The cathedral was severely damaged by earthquakes in 1775 and 1900, and was rebuilt in 1904 in its present form.
Today, the cathedral remains in excellent condition. Masses conducted by more than 10 Chinese priests attract an increasing number of local and foreign worshipers each Sunday. The church is always crowded during Easter and Christmas.
Address: 141 Qianmenxi Dajie, Xuanwu District
How to get there: Take subway Line 2 to Xuanwumen Station. The church is a few meters from the northeast exit of the station.
Wangfujing Catholic Church
Located in the hustle and bustle of Wangfujing shopping district, the Wangfujing Catholic Church (East Church) is one of the best-preserved religious sites in the heart of Beijing.
The church was originally called Saint Joseph's Church. It was built in 1655 as the second Catholic church in Beijing following the South Church.
The church had suffered severe damage on several occasions due to earthquake and fire. The present building was rebuilt in 1904 on the ruins of the burned church. It was closed in 1966 and was reopened in 1980. In 2000, the church underwent a large-scale renovation. Its front square now is a favorite playground of skateboarding teens and camera-wielding tourists.
Address: 74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
How to get there: Take subway Line 1 or any bus to Wangfujing, or Line 5 subway at Dengshikou Station. The church is north of Wangfujing Foreign Language Bookstore.
Xizhimen Catholic Church
Xizhimen Catholic Church (West Church), on the south side of Xizhimennei Dajie, is the latest among the four main churches in the Beijing Diocese of the Catholic Church.
The West Church was first established in 1723 in a typical Gothic style. It was torn down and rebuilt several times. Delicate Collins pillars and Gothic peaked arches inside the building create a grand, elegant and solemn impression upon visitors.
Address: 130 Xizhimennei Dajie
How to get there: Take buses 808, 27, 105, or subway Line 2 and get off at Xizhimen Station.
St. Michael's Church
Also known as Dongjiaominxiang (East Diplomatic Alley) Catholic Church, St. Michael's stands in the old legation quarter, a remnant part of Beijing from a period when the imperial West was overtly attempting to have control of China.
The church was built in 1901 and after being closed during the Cultural Revolution, it was reopened in 1989. It is notable for its very fine and original stained glass windows which survived intact.
Address: Jia 13 Dongjiaominxiang Street, Dongcheng District
How to get there: Take subway Line 2, get off at Chongwenmen Station. Take Exit A at northwest corner, walk west then north at Taijichang Dajie.
Chongwenmen Christian Church
The biggest Christian Protestant church in the city at present, the Chongwenmen Christian Church was first established in 1870 as the Asbury Church. It was the first church constructed by the U.S. Methodist Church in northern China.
The Gothic-style church was burnt down in 1900 during the anti-Western Boxer Rebellion movement but was rebuilt four years later, with its major structure intact today.
Its architectural style shows grace, ingenuity and a blend of many cultures. The church's main level is divided into two sections: the main hall which seats 400 people, and the side chapel which seats 300. These two sections are separated by a movable partition so that they can be used separately or as one large room.
The basement can seat between 800 to 1,000 worshippers. The services are filmed and can be seen in the basement via closed-circuit television.
Former U.S. presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton visited the church in February 1989 and June 1998, during their China visits.
Address: 2 Hougou Alley, Chongwen District
How to get there: Subway Line 2, Chongwenmen Station
Related inf : Xishiku Catholic Church
Xuanwumen Catholic Church
Wangfujing Catholic Church
Xizhimen Catholic Church
St. Michael's Church
Chongwenmen Christian Church
(Xinhua News Agency July 25.2008)