Xincheng Catholic Church was built in 1917 and is one of the earliest Catholic churches established in northern Hualien. Its brick structure incorporates Gothic pointed-arch window designs, giving the facade a clean, religiously solemn quality. The site where the church stands was the location of the Jialiwan Incident of 1878 (Guangxu 4), a historical episode of colonial violence. The coexistence of that painful colonial history and the religious architecture on this same ground creates layers of cultural meaning that are both complex and profound.
Highlights of Xincheng Catholic Church
The Jialiwan Incident (1878) was a conflict in which Qing dynasty soldiers suppressed an uprising jointly led by the Kavalan and Sakizaya peoples. After the incident, the site became a Qing military occupation zone, later transitioning into a Japanese colonial-era settlement area. Catholic missionaries who entered northern Hualien chose this site to establish a mission station, and the brick church was completed in 1917. The building has been restored over time, and its Gothic pointed-arch windows and brick walls are well preserved — one of the few buildings in Xincheng area with a history of over a hundred years.
The church is modest in scale, but its architectural vocabulary is clear: a brick-red exterior wall, white pointed-arch window frames, and a facade suggesting the rudiments of a bell tower — a visual presence that stands out distinctively in the rural environment of eastern Taiwan. Visiting requires respect for the church's religious function. Outside of Mass hours, entry for viewing is generally permitted, but please remain quiet and observe any notices posted by the church. Understanding the historical background of this site is the most important prerequisite for reading what this building means.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Located in Xincheng Village, Xincheng Township. About a 5–10-minute walk from Taiwan Railways Xincheng Station; approximately a 15–20-minute drive from Hualien City.
- Church opening hours vary with Mass schedules and holidays. It is advisable to check in advance or visit outside regular worship times.
- Allow about 30 to 45 minutes, including viewing the exterior and a short stroll through the surrounding streets.
Nearby Connections
- About 10 minutes north by car from Xincheng, Qixingtan Beach can be combined as a morning itinerary.
- Xincheng Station is a key stop on the Taiwan Railways Suhua line and connects northward toward Suao.
Sources: Catholic Diocese of Hualien; local historical and cultural materials. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own photography.