In recognition of Easter Holidays, here’s a round-up of churches in Shanghai and their services. Happy Easter!
Dong Jia Du Lu Catholic Church
Built in 1847 and rennovaed just last year, Dong Jia Du (also known at the St. Francis Xavier Church) is the first foreign-built house of worship in Shanghai, and remains one the city’s most well-known churches. Dong Jia Du hosts three English-language masses on the weekend: Saturday at 5pm and Sundays at 10:30am and 12:30pm. Confessions are 30 mins before the mass or by appointment. Easter Services: Saturday night, 5pm-7pm -- an English-language Easter Vigil with their expat priest. Sunday, 7:30am-10:30am -- Chinese-language Easter Vigil.
St. lgnatius Cathedral
More commonly known as the Xujiahui Cathedral, St. Ignatius was designed by English architect William Doyle and built by the French Jesuits at the start of the 20th century. Recently restored, the cathedral's stained glass windows have been replaced with the ones that incorporate Chinese characters and iconography. A testiment to Gothic architecture, "the grandest cathedral in the Far East" as it was described at its completions is visited by 2,000 worshipers weekly, the largest congrigation of Catholics in Shanghai. Easter Services: Saturday, 6pm -- Chinese-language Easter Vigil. Sunday, 12pm -- English service
Hengshan Community Church
Shanghai’s most active, multi-denominaional, Protestent church, Hengshan Community Church hosts a large congregation of expats in to their weekly services (English language services at 2pm and 4pm), along with a Sunday School for kids, a choir, and holiday services. These services are for foreign passport holders only. More information at Shanghaifellowship.org. Easter Services: Services will be held at Shanghai Community Church at 7:30am, 10am, and 7pm. (foreign passport holders only).
Mu'en Church
The Moore Memorial Church, otherwise known as the Mu’en Church, next to People’s Square, was established by American missionaries at the end of the 19th century. Originally a Methodist house of worship, today, Mu’en is non-denominational and offers services to a Chinese-speaking Christian congregation.
Easter Services: No special services. Four regular Sunday, Chinese-language services: 7:3oam, 10am, 2pm, 7:30pm., lasting an hour each.
All Saints Church
All Saints Church was built in 1925 under the aegis of American missionaries. Inspired by 17th century standards, the church accomodates 500 worshipers in the main hall and 1,000 more in the side hall. Easter Services: All Saints Church are offering two Chinese-language services on Sunday from 7am at 9:30am.
Sheshan Marian Basilica
Located in Songjiang District and completed in 1935, Sheshan Marian Basilica was the most famous Catholic Church in pre-Cultural Revolution era, and could accommodate 3,000 worshipers. Amongst other architectural highlights, a 38-meter-high bell tower, granite interiors, and marble Virgin Mother alter, although it’s a bit of a trek to get there. Easter Services: Marian Basicalica services are in Chinese only: Saturday night at 6pm and Sunday morning at 8am./b> *** SmartShanghai's full listings of churches in Shanghai here.
