aeeble

The famous Datong District merchant Li Chun-sheng, was a legendary figure who made his fortune as a comprador for a foreign trading company. He helped English merchants manage the production and sales of northern Taiwan tea, which achieved remarkable results. He was called the "Father of Taiwan Tea" and was a pioneer in exporting Taiwanese tea to Europe and the United States. As a Christian and a well-known local merchant, he often mediated disputes between foreigners and locals, solving problems and making the issues settle peacefully. He was also known for his kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm for public welfare, enjoying a high reputation among the people. In addition, he made significant contributions when Liu Ming-chuan promoted modernization. The Li Chun-sheng Memorial Church, donated by his descendants, was built to commemorate this enduring merchant. This two-story building is located on Guigong Street, which was a foreign residential area during the late Qing dynasty. The street was home to wealthy merchants and foreign trading companies, making it the most prosperous district in Datong. Due to frequent flooding from the Tamsui River, the building foundations in this area were built higher than usual. Although the exterior brickwork has been renovated, the facade features are still well-preserved. The building's design resembles a human face, with the entrance as the mouth and the two cow-ear windows as eyes. This architectural style is unique to Taipei and highly distinctive.