aeeble

Qiszun holds a strategic location at the harbor's outlet, being one of the earliest areas developed by Han Chinese settlers in Kaohsiung, boasting the city's oldest streets, temples, and schools. After the 1865 Qing–Anglo-French Allied Forces conflict, Takow Port (Kaohsiung Harbor) opened to foreign trade, and Scottish Presbyterian missionary Dr. James L. Maxwell arrived to establish the Takow Chapel, recognized as Taiwan's first Presbyterian Church. In 1935, the church was renovated into a Neoclassical Roman-style building with elegant yellow-brown wash stone walls, becoming a serene haven amidst the bustling Qiszun community and a shared memory for many residents. Due to structural damage from aging, the centuries-old Qishou Church underwent major restoration in 2013, preserving original archways and window sills while adding Gothic-style spires to its seven-story-tall grand new structure. Catering to tourist interest, Qishou Church now hosts tourism and evangelism initiatives, offering public access to rest areas and facilities, multilingual activities for all age groups, and a tranquil exhibition space where visitors can view scaled models of the historic church, reflect upon its legacy, and experience moments of spiritual peace within its reverent atmosphere.