Xizhimen Church
Encyclopedia
The Xizhimen Church or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (圣母圣衣堂) is a Roman Catholic Church
located on the southern side at n.130 of Xizhimen Neidajie in Beijing
. It is commonly referred to as Xitang (西堂, the West Church) to the locals.
The Xizhimen Church was the last among the four historic Catholic churches in Beijing. The West Church was first established in 1723 by the Italian Lazarist missionary Teodorico Pedrini
: it was the first non-Jesuit church in Beijing.
After Pedrini's death the church was run by Carmelites
and then Augustinians
, who were there when it was destroyed in 1811.
It was then rebuilt in 1867. After a second destruction in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion
, it was built again in 1912 as we can see it today.
Delicate Collins pillars and Gothic peaked arches inside the church create a grand, elegant and solemn impression upon visitors.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
located on the southern side at n.130 of Xizhimen Neidajie in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. It is commonly referred to as Xitang (西堂, the West Church) to the locals.
The Xizhimen Church was the last among the four historic Catholic churches in Beijing. The West Church was first established in 1723 by the Italian Lazarist missionary Teodorico Pedrini
Teodorico Pedrini
Teodorico Pedrini was an Italian priest, missionary, musician and composer.Pedrini was born in Fermo, Italy. He was the founder of the Xizhimen Church in Beijing...
: it was the first non-Jesuit church in Beijing.
After Pedrini's death the church was run by Carmelites
Carmelites
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain...
and then Augustinians
Augustinians
The term Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo , applies to two separate and unrelated types of Catholic religious orders:...
, who were there when it was destroyed in 1811.
It was then rebuilt in 1867. After a second destruction in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
, it was built again in 1912 as we can see it today.
Delicate Collins pillars and Gothic peaked arches inside the church create a grand, elegant and solemn impression upon visitors.
See also
- Wangfujing CathedralWangfujing CathedralThe Wangfujing Cathedral , also named St. Joseph's Wangfujing Cathedral or to the locals, Dongtang is a historic Catholic cathedral located in downtown Beijing, near Wangfujing. A small church was first established in 1653 on the open grounds by the Jesuit Father Lodovico Buglio...
(Dongtang) - Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionCathedral of the Immaculate Conception in BeijingThe Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing , also known as Nantang to the locals, is a historic Roman Catholic Church located in Beijing, China...
(Nantang) - Xishiku CathedralXishiku CathedralThe Xishiku Cathedral , commonly referred to as the Beitang is a historic Catholic church in the Xicheng District, Beijing, China...
(Beitang)