Chengdu Ping’anqiao Catholic Church is currently one of the larger Catholic churches in Chengdu. It is also the seat of the bishop’s residence of the Catholic Diocese of Chengdu.
It was built in 1897 by Bishop Louis Faurie, a Frenchman. Craftsmen were recruited from Chongzhou, Dayi, Qionglai and other suburban counties of Chengdu, and it took 7 years to complete.
Ping’anqiao Catholic Church includes the large and small chapels, the Immaculate Conception Church of the Virgin Mary, and the bishop’s office. The church is in the shape of a cross, the bishop’s residence is in the shape of a ‘bundle’, and the entire building complex is in the shape of a’song’ character. The design is unique, simple and elegant.
The Immaculate Conception Church of the Virgin Mary can accommodate more than a thousand people. The small chapel is for the bishop and priests to offer sacrifices. The corridors around are spacious and connected. 108 nanmu corridor columns are magnificent. Three inner gardens divide the main church and the Immaculate Conception Church of the Virgin Mary into various corridor courtyards.
There are 104 sets of rooms on two floors around, which are divided into living rooms, dining rooms, office areas and dormitories. The beams, columns, doors, windows and floors of the entire building are all made of nanmu transported from the Qionglai Mountains. The materials are exquisite and very precious.
For a hundred years, although Ping’anqiao Catholic Church has experienced wars and erosion by wind and rain, it still retains its original appearance. It is open from 7:00 – 21:00 throughout the year.
