Religious site
Dongguan Church
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Dongguan Church in Shenyang is one of the largest and oldest Protestant churches in Northeast China. It was built just outside the East Gate (Dongguan) because churches were not allowed inside the city wall. Today, you can see the main church building, an annex, and the John Ross Memorial Hall, which is open to the public.
Don't miss
- The main church building, reconstructed in 1907 after the Boxer Rebellion
- The 5-storey Annex building, built in 1998, where Sunday services are relayed by cable TV
- John Ross Memorial Hall, open to the public, located to the right of the main building
- The church's role as the cradle of Christianity for Koreans in China and the Korean Peninsula
- The site where the first Korean translation of the New Testament was completed in 1887
Getting there
A bit of history
John Ross, sent by the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, established the church in 1889. The original building was destroyed during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and reconstructed in 1907. It was damaged during the Cultural Revolution and enlarged in 1992, with an annex added in 1998. The centennial of the 1907 building was celebrated in 2007.
Common questions
Why is it called Dongguan Church?
It was built just outside the East Gate (Dongguan) of Shenyang's city wall, as churches were not allowed within the wall.
What is the connection to the Korean Bible?
John Ross met Korean traders and completed the first Korean translation of the New Testament in 1887, which was brought to Korea.
Is the John Ross Memorial Hall open to visitors?
Yes, it is open to the public.
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