Hey, it's Easter this weekend. Free flow holy water, all-you-can-absolve specials, and rumors of a guest DJ set by Jesus himself. Here's a round-up of churches in Shanghai that are hosting services. And even if you're not into that, some nice architecture and history gems.
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 between 1905 and 1910. Recently restored, this is a beautiful church with a nice atmosphere (for Shanghai standards). English Easter Services: Holy Thursday (2nd): 8.30pm Good Friday (3rd): 7pm Easter Vigil (4th): 9.30pm Easter Sunday (5th): Noon ***
Shanghai Grace Church
This is a big church up in the Jing'an sort of neck of the woods. God lives here and he's pretty pleased with how things are going. Easter Services: On Friday they've got a service in Chinese at 2pm. On Saturday they have Chinese service at 9am and on Sunday at 8.30am and 7pm. Also, an English service at 8.30am on Sunday with simultaneous interpretation. ***
Mu'en Church
The Moore Memorial Church, also known as Muen Church, is located on Xizang Lu, in the middle of department stores, across from People's Square. This church was established by American missionaries in 1887 and expanded in 1931 to seat more than 1,000 worshippers. It has built up a local membership that numbers in the thousands since reopening in 1979, after its closure during the Cultural Revolution. Easter Services: This year they only have Chinese-language services, on Easter Sunday at 7.30am, 10am, 2pm and 7pm. ***
Hengshan Community Church
Shanghai's best known Protestant church, otherwise known as Guoji Libai Tang or the International Church, was established in 1925 and is popular among foreigners. The church was built in modern Gothic style and has a choir, to boot. This is the church that's only for foreigners, no Chinese nationals allowed. Easter Services: This year they have Good Friday Tenebrae service on April 3 at 7.30pm in the courtyard chapel, and Easter Sunday service at 2pm and 4pm (identical content), plus Chinese services at 7.30am, 10am, and 7pm. ***
St. Francis Xavier Church
Built in early Spanish baroque style in 1853, St Francis Xavier Church, also known as Dongjiadu Lu Church, was the first foreign-built church in Shanghai. It's also the oldest and the best preserved (four of the church bells are originals). The church holds services regularly in Chinese and English. English Easter Services: Holy Thursday (2nd): 7pm Good Friday (3rd): 7pm Easter Vigil (4th): 5pm Easter Sunday (5th): 11am ***
St Joseph's
Founded in 1860 by Father Louis Hélot, St Joseph's serves an English-speaking Roman Catholic parish. The red brick church was built in romanesque style with gothic elements. Easter Services: Services in Chinese on Sunday 7am and 9am, no English service ***
All Saints Church
All Saints on Fuxing Zhong Lu was built by the Episcopal Church in 1925. It's a Christian church in 17th-century style with a rose window and bell tower. Its triangle roof, red brick and concrete-engraved doorpost make it disctinctive. The main hall can hold 500 people and the attached halls can seat a further 1,000. Easter Services: No English services, but for Mandarin speakers (anyone is welcome), they have a Good Friday service at 7pm, then Sunday services at 7am, 9am and 7pm. ***
Sheshan Marian Basilica
Located in Songjiang District and completed in 1935, Sheshan Marian Basilica was the most famous Catholic Church in the pre-Cultural Revolution era, and can accommodate 3,000 worshipers. Among other architectural highlights the church has a 38-meter bell tower, granite interiors and a marble alter, although it's a bit of a trek to get there. Easter Services: No one answered the phone but this is a big church -- they likely have something. We'll try again and update if we hear any good word. ***
St. Peter's Church
That's the one you see from the highway, St Peter's Church was first built in the 1930s as a Byzantine style church with a central dome and five chapels. Unfortunately the original building was rased to build a modern church that's relatively ugly from outside. It still attracts a healthy crowd of foreigners, and offers masses in English, German and Korean. English Easter Services: Holy Thursday (2nd): 7.30pm Good Friday (3rd): 7.30pm Easter Vigil (4th): 8.30pm Easter Sunday (5th): 11am ***
Sacred Heart
Picture taken from Joy Imperial's photo stream
The International Community of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was built in 1744, but was forced to move several times before finding home in its current home in Pudong. Easter Easter Services: Holy Thursday (2nd): 7.30pm Good Friday (3rd) 7.30pm Easter Vigil (4th): 9pm Easter Sunday (5th): 10.30am *** SmartShanghai's full listings of churches in Shanghai here. A useful resource for church services in Shanghai is this Yahoo Group.
