Dongjiadu Catholic Church / named also as St. Francis Xaver Church

Built from 1847 -1853 and designed by the Spanish Jesuit, it was one of the oldest and biggest churches in China with the capacity of 2,000 seats playing an important role during the early years.   It was built up in the particular architectural style with the combination of both Chinese and Western elements.  While it is an early Spanish baroque style church, there are Chinese couplets at both sides out of the main entrance and relieves designed with lotus flowers, double coins, cranes inside  of the church.  Some details are shown on the attached reference  photos.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The  church was used as the warehouse during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 and damaged seriously during that period.  After some years of renovation, the church has resumed its activities from 2000.   Now this church is respected as the heritage treasure protected by the municipal government even the whole historical residential area around is being demolished for the new urban planning.