Amidst the hustle and bustle of the ancient city of Xi’an, there lies a treasure that carries a profound history and unique culture – the Xi’an Franciscan Church. As it is located on Wuxing Street in Beilin District, Xi’an, it is commonly referred to as the “Wuxing Street Church“. The church is not far from the most iconic building in Xi’an, the Bell and Drum Tower, and can be reached on foot. However, compared to the crowded Bell and Drum Tower, The xi’an catholic church – “Xi’an Wuxing Street Church” is very quiet.
The Wuxing Street Church in Xi’an, also known as the Catholic Xi’an South Church, is the main cathedral and bishop’s office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Xi’an. Its full name is the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. In 2008, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit in Shaanxi Province. This church, with its blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles and profound historical significance, has become a shining pearl in Xi’an and even the northwest region, witnessing the vicissitudes and cultural integration of this ancient capital.
1、Perseverance and Inheritance in the Wind and Rain
Tracing back to the development of the Wuxing Street Catholic Church in Xi’an, it is closely related to the spread of Catholicism in Shaanxi. In the 35th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1696), the Catholic Diocese of Shaanxi was established. The main church was initially located in Luqiao Town, Jingyang County, and later moved to the Tudi Temple in Xi’an (now around Wuxing Street). In the 54th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1715), Bishop Mei Shusheng of the Italian Franciscan Order purchased land in Xi’an and personally laid the foundation for the glorious history of this church.
At that time, this church was known as the “Shaanxi Cathedral of the Catholic Church” and stood tall with its majestic posture in the Tu Di Temple, known as the “Nan Tang”. During the reign of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, there was a nationwide ban on religion and the Southern Church was closed. After the separation of the Shaanxi Diocese and the Shanxi Diocese, the second and third bishops Gao Yizhi and Lin Qiai negotiated with the Shaanxi authorities of the Qing government for many years from 1862. Finally, in 1884, they claimed Islamic property and expanded the church again.
The expanded South Hall consists of ten main halls, with a total area of 700 square meters and a hall height of 17.45 meters. The lobby adopts an antique brick and wood structure, with an arched design inside, blending Roman style and complementing the characteristics of Chinese and Western architecture. There are a total of 158 affiliated buildings within the hospital. The church has once again been revitalized and expanded, with its scale and influence expanding day by day.
Entering the modern era, the fate of this church has been full of ups and downs, undergoing trials and tribulations, and its functional roles have also undergone several changes. It was once an educational cradle for cultivating talents, carrying the mission of running both girls’ and boys’ primary schools, witnessing the growth of generations of students; Once transformed into a medical institution that saves lives and helps the wounded, hospitals and clinics have taken root here, working tirelessly and silently for the education and medical security of the local area, shedding countless sweat and hard work.
However, the storm of the times mercilessly struck, and during the special historical period of the Cultural Revolution, churches suffered unimaginable hardships. It was arbitrarily used for other purposes, once reduced to a warehouse filled with miscellaneous items. The sanctity and solemnity of the past were buried in the corners of history, covered with thick dust of time, like a dusty pearl, dimming its light.
Fortunately, history has not forgotten this building that carries heavy memories. In 1991, a significant restoration project was officially launched, like a timely rain, bringing hope for the church’s rebirth. Afterwards, in 2004, the church underwent a second meticulous renovation. After these two rounds of meticulous repairs, the church finally brushed away the dust, regained vitality, and once again stood proudly in the embrace of the ancient city with its solemn and dignified posture, continuing to write its own legendary chapter.
The perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures
The Franciscan Church in Xi’an adopts a brick and wood structure that combines ancient Italian and Chinese architecture, showcasing a unique architectural style. The main arch in the middle has a distinct European exotic style, blending the majestic atmosphere of Romanesque style with the graceful charm of Chinese architecture as a whole
The Roman style granite columns decorated with relief flowers on the front are exquisitely carved at the top of the columns, and the three large characters “Cathedral” on the lintel shine brightly, highlighting the sanctity and solemnity of the church.
Entering the interior of the church, the arched structure comes into view, and the charm of Roman style is overwhelming. In terms of detailed decoration, the clever combination of Chinese and Western patterns not only reflects the grandeur of Roman style, but also incorporates the delicate and gentle elements of Chinese style. This unique blend of Chinese and Western styles gives the church a unique and breathtaking visual appeal.
The church, with its unique architectural style, has become a model of cultural integration between China and the West. The church building adopts a brick and wood structure, with gray bricks, gray tiles, and Romanesque granite columns complementing each other. It not only retains the simplicity and elegance of traditional Chinese architecture, but also integrates the solemnity and atmosphere of Western architecture.
3、Compact and reasonable structural layout
The church covers an area of approximately 700 square meters, with a height of 17.45 meters. The building consists of ten main halls and adopts an ancient brick and wood structure. Such a scale was quite rare in Xi’an and even the northwest region at that time. The church faces north and south, with a width of three rooms and a depth of ten rooms, with a compact and reasonable layout. The roof is a gable roof with two slopes, and the front is decorated with flame shaped roof and Roman granite columns. The overall shape is beautiful and practical.
The interior of the church adopts an arch structure, creating a spacious and bright sense of space. The dome design at the top of the church is particularly unique, and the cross on the dome shines brightly under the sunlight, adding a sacred and solemn atmosphere.
4、Witness to History and Prospect for the Future
From its religious function at the beginning of its establishment to its contributions to education and healthcare, the Xi’an Franciscan Church has become an important part of Xi’an’s history and culture with its diverse values and profound influence. Nowadays, it has become a cultural relic protection unit in Shaanxi Province, with a clean and orderly interior and red painted wooden chairs, creating a solemn and warm atmosphere. At night, the colorful lights on the roof shine brightly, attracting countless tourists and citizens to visit and take photos.
This church, which has gone through many vicissitudes, not only carries a heavy historical memory, but also becomes a beautiful scenic spot in the ancient capital of Xi’an. It has witnessed the integration and collision of Chinese and Western cultures, as well as the prosperity and development of the city of Xi’an. Looking ahead to the future, we have reason to believe that the Franciscan Church in Xi’an will continue to attract more attention with its unique charm and profound historical significance, becoming a bridge and link connecting Chinese and Western cultures and inheriting historical memories.
In summary, the Franciscan Church in Xi’an, with its unique historical evolution, stylistic features, architectural scale and structural layout, as well as its recent changes, showcases the charm of combining Chinese and Western architecture and profound historical and cultural heritage. This church is not only a place for religious activities, but also an important part of Xi’an’s historical and cultural heritage, which is worth cherishing, protecting, and inheriting together.
交通提示：
Bus: You can choose to take bus routes 187, 193, or 713 to get off at Tianshuijing Station, and walk 100 meters to reach Wuxing Street Church. In addition, buses such as 251, 286, 407, and 604 can also reach nearby stations within a few minutes’ walk.
Subway: If you take the Xi’an subway, first arrive at Zhonglou Station, then transfer to bus (604/286/251) or walk to Xi’an Catholic Church, which is about 1.6 kilometers away. Xi‘an Metro Map