Jiangbei Catholic Church

Located in Jiangbei District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Jiangbei Catholic Church is a historic church with significant historical, cultural, and artistic value. Originally built in the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1872) by Bishop Su, a French national from the Zhejiang Diocese, the church saw the addition of a bell tower in the 25th year of the Guangxu reign (1899). The entire structure, comprising the church, bell tower, bishop's office, scripture depository, and ancillary buildings, showcases a typical Gothic architectural style. Catholicism has a history of over 350 years in Ningbo, dating back to the first year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1628), when Portuguese missionaries arrived in Ningbo to preach and teach. The church has undergone several reconstructions and renovations, bearing witness to Ningbo's history as a port city and a center for missionary activities. Jiangbei Catholic Church's architectural style blends Roman Gothic and traditional Chinese elements, serving as a prime example of the fusion of Eastern and Western architecture. Its magnificent bell tower is hailed as the "Pride of Zhejiang." Well-preserved overall, the church holds high artistic value and is recognized as a nationally significant modern building. It is also listed as a key cultural relic protection site in Zhejiang Province and a sixth-batch national key cultural relic protection site.