China: Huge new church to open in Guangzhou city as elsewhere pastors are imprisoned

Guangzhou's new Tianhe Church will be the largest ever built in the city. CCC & TSPM

The largest church ever to be built in Guangzhou, capital of China's Guangdong province, is to open its doors soon.

Combining modern features with traditional Chinese architecture, it is described by the China Christian Daily as "a landmark of Christianity in China".

It is set to be opened at some time during the first half of this year.

Tianhe Church is the first new church building to be erected in the province since the Revolution of 1949 and the creation of the People's Republic of China.

article,article,article,article Related

Taking 10 years to contruct, it is designed to be a multi-purpose building with a hall, chapel, bell tower and administrative buildings. It will have an underground parking area covering 2,493 square metres.

Yang Yongchun, Pastor of Tianhe Church, told China Christian Daily the opening of the church had "great religious and social significance". He said it was not only useful for its members but could set the standard for a religious building that would promote harmonious social development in wider Chinese society.

While the Church in China is under pressure in some areas, particularly in Zhejiang Province where churches have been demolished, crosses torn down and pastors and lawyers imprisoned, elsewhere it is allowed to flourish relatively unhindered. 

Guangzhou has several large and historic Christian churches, including the spectacular Gothic Sacred Heart Cathedral. Built in 1863, it is one of only four Gothic-style churches in the world to be built entirely of granite.

Another large church, Guangxiao, was built in around 1924 and was funded by Chinese Christians rather than Western missionaries. Like the new Tianhe Church, it also shows Chinese architectural influences.

related articles
Pastor of China's largest megachurch fired after opposing cross removals

Pastor of China's largest megachurch fired after opposing cross removals

Chinese government to take control of ordination from Catholic Church

Chinese government to take control of ordination from Catholic Church

Pressure grows for release of jailed Christian human rights lawyer in China
Pressure grows for release of jailed Christian human rights lawyer in China

Pressure grows for release of jailed Christian human rights lawyer in China

How a revolution that killed 20 million people is still shaping China\'s view of Christianity
How a revolution that killed 20 million people is still shaping China's view of Christianity

How a revolution that killed 20 million people is still shaping China's view of Christianity

News
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide

Pastors and Christian leaders across Scotland have signed an open letter to MSPs urging them to vote against a draft bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide. 

Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date
Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date

The release date for the faith-based film “I Can Only Imagine 2,” the sequel to the 2018 box office hit, is moving from March 20, 2026, to Feb. 20, 2026, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have announced.

First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill
First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has confirmed he will vote against the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, ahead of its pivotal Stage 1 vote set for Tuesday evening. 

Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?
Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?

It might just be me, but amongst all the myriad and somewhat valid objections raised, including by Christians, to "Assisted Dying" (read "Doctors Killing Patients" or "Doctors Helping Patients to Kill Themselves"), I haven't really seen the most important, indeed the all-decisive, one.