Kunming XiAn Christian Church
The XiAn Christian Church (基督教“锡安圣堂”), located at No. 26 Jinbi Road, Kunming, was founded in 1922, making it over a century old!
Historical Background
The church is situated on Jinbi Road. In 1921, the newly established Southwest District of the Christian Church in Kunming purchased property and land on Guangju Street (now Jinbi Road) to build a church. After the land transaction, the design of the new church was entrusted to the British missionary Yilifan (易理藩). Following a careful survey of the terrain and meticulous drafting of plans, Yilifan completed the architectural drawings. He then traveled to London to report to the General Assembly of the Christian Church, presenting the plans and discussing the construction. After reviewing the drawings and hearing Yilifan’s presentation, the General Assembly allocated the necessary funds for the construction. A year later, in 1922, Yilifan returned to Kunming, and construction of the church officially commenced.
Architectural Features
After two years of construction, the church was finally completed. Its architecture includes:
- An iron gate
- A street-facing building
- A chapel that can accommodate thousands
- A garden
- Residential quarters for the clergy
The layout of the church is rigorous and reasonable, creating a religious atmosphere that evokes a sense of solemnity and seriousness. Upon completion, the church was initially unnamed, with the words “Christian Worship Hall” (基督教礼拜堂) inscribed on the stone gate to the west of the iron gate. It was officially named “Zion Church” (锡安圣堂) in 1935, with “Zion” derived from the Bible, meaning a beautiful and blessed place.
Significant Events and Influence
Before it was destroyed, Zion Church had considerable influence in Kunming. Many influential figures and celebrities residing in Kunming chose to hold Western-style weddings at Zion Church. Notable weddings held there include:
- Nationalist general Wei Lihuang (卫立煌)
- Southwest United University beauty Gao Xunquan (高训铨) and Jin Lizhu (金丽珠)
- Talented woman Lu Baohua (卢葆华)
- Famous chemist Chen Ruyu (陈茹玉)
In addition to hosting weddings, the church established several private schools and kindergartens before the liberation. For instance, Tian Nan Middle School (天南中学), which gained some fame in Kunming during the 1940s, was initially located within the church from 1939 to 1945. The church also founded En Guang Private Women’s School (恩光私立女中), which merged with Kunming No. 3 Middle School after liberation. The predecessor of Kunming No. 3 Kindergarten (昆明市第三幼儿园) was the affiliated kindergarten of En Guang Private Women’s School.
Challenges and Renovations
During the Cultural Revolution, all religious activities at the church were halted, and the property was repurposed for factory use. In 1981, Zion Church reopened. However, in February 1990, a fire caused by aging electrical wiring destroyed the entire building. Following the destruction, the Christian community in Kunming actively donated funds and designed a new church, which was completed on June 20, 1993. This is the church we see today.
Current Status
The new church features a reinforced concrete structure with a building area of 1,500 square meters, oriented south to north. Architectural features include:
- A three-opening entrance, decorated with a Lombard-style portico featuring a semicircular arch and two corresponding decorative columns.
- Three elongated decorative windows made of blue glass in the portico.
- An interior layout consisting of three levels: the first level includes an entrance hall with stairs; the second level is a meeting room; the third level contains storage and a warehouse.
- Decorative columns topped with conical embellishments, showcasing Gothic architectural characteristics. The chapel’s southern end features a four-story structure.
Originally, Zion Church was planned to be demolished and rebuilt in 2005, but various reasons have delayed the project. Although the church is currently mostly unused and has not engaged in any religious activities, and the entire building appears somewhat old, its century-old history and unique architectural style continue to make it a distinctive landmark in Kunming!
