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淡水禮拜堂

2017-06-29
Danshui is the base for the development of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Taiwan, and the person who contributed the most was Dr. George Leslie Mackay, a pastor from the Canadian Presbyterian Church. After arriving in Danshui on March 9, 1872, Dr. Mackay actively started his missionary work. He also learned the Hokkien language and local culture. The rented house was not only used as a hospital, but also as a place for missionary activities. In 1873, he baptized the first group of believers, and since there was no church, the ceremony was held in the rented house. In order to expand missionary activities, he often led students to travel to various places to preach, establish churches, and let students take charge. Although he experienced many difficulties, the church was eventually spread throughout Northern Taiwan. The first church in the north was built in Wugu, and the Danshui Church was later rebuilt from the medical staff dormitory of the Mackay Hospital. It is now a county-level cultural heritage site. In 1901, Dr. Mackay passed away, and the church entered a new era. Due to practical needs and expansion, the church was rebuilt in 1915 into a North American style building with brick walls coated with white lime, commonly known as the "White Chapel," with a bell tower placed above the main entrance. In 1928, due to insufficient capacity, a decision was made to rebuild the church. The construction costs were mainly provided by church members, students, and other affiliated groups, with most of the funds coming from Mackay's son, K. S. Mackay, who applied for support from the Canadian mother church and personally designed and supervised the construction. The reconstruction was completed in 1932, and the church was finished on September 3, 1933. The Danshui Chapel features a Gothic-style spire with flying buttresses, columns decorated with small pointed caps, exterior walls built with exposed bricks, and an interior with reinforced concrete columns and floors. The roof is supported by large steel frames, and wooden boards are used for the ceiling. On the left side is a tall bell tower. In 1986, due to the difficulty of maintaining traditional roof tiles, the entire roof was renovated using imported aluminum corrugated sheets, and traditional glass was replaced with leaded stained glass. The front of the church features the "Trinity" of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The bell tower displays Christian symbols, including "The Loaves and Fishes" and "The Prayer in Gethsemane." The church has now been integrated with the scenery of Danshui and has become a famous tourist attraction.
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