Holy Trinity Church｜Mysterious and solemn, witnessing the raising of Shanghai's first red flag

At No. 219 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, there is a Christian church with exposed red brick walls inside and out—Holy Trinity Church, commonly known as the "Red Chapel" due to its red exterior. Although nestled under several tall ancient trees, the church’s appearance is still visible, and its beautiful radiance cannot be hidden‼️ In 2019, it was announced as part of the eighth batch of "National Protection." Holy Trinity Church was originally built in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Xuan Emperor (1847) and is praised as the "largest cathedral in the Far East." The pipe organ on the right side of the church is especially eye-catching. This place was originally the center of the Shanghai International Settlement and served as a church specifically for Anglican worshippers among the British expatriates. In the first year of the Guangxu reign (1875), it was elevated to the status of an Anglican cathedral, also known as the "Anglican Cathedral." 🌈 Highlights: 🌸 The church’s architectural style is unique, with exquisite interior and exterior decorations. The exposed red brick walls complement the colorful stained glass paintings beautifully. The reliefs and baptismal font inside the chapel are equally breathtaking. The compact interior layout and Gothic aesthetics evoke a sense of holiness and solemnity. 🌸 It was once the tallest building in Shanghai and served as a symbol of the city. "When the steamboat sailed into the Huangpu River and saw the cathedral’s spire—it meant Shanghai had arrived." The church is just one street away from the old Shanghai Municipal Government (Gongbuju Building), witnessing the raising of Shanghai’s first five-star red flag 🇨🇳. 📚 Church Information: ✅ Designed by British architect George Gilbert Scott, modeled after the mother church in London, it features Gothic Revival style with some eclectic elements. The floor plan is a Latin cross, and the facade uses a composition with a higher middle and lower sides, divided into three sections by three rows of continuous arcades, pointed arch doors and windows, and exposed roof truss structure. The bell tower was destroyed in 1966. ✅ The church is about 19 meters high, with a wooden arch structure in the nave, scissors-shaped wooden trusses, and a stone-tiled roof. The exterior walls are built with red bricks, with gray bricks interspersed at the arch springing points, creating a zebra stripe pattern unique to the region. ✅ The church ceiling is decorated with a "round collar" style, and the window frames and chair backs are nailed with plaques bearing the donors’ surnames, reflecting the legacy of European ancient churches. ⏰ Opening Hours: Open only on Sundays from 8:00 to 10:00, advance reservation required‼️ Reservations for Sunday services start every Friday at 9:00. Service time is from 9:00 to 10:00. 🎫 Admission: Free 🚗 Transportation: Accessible via Metro Line 2/10, Bus 17, and others.