The Xujiahui Cathedral is the largest
Catholic church in Shanghai with a long history. It has a high status among the
Chinese adherents.
The church was established in 1904. Its
formal name is St. Ignacious Cathedral. It follows a typical Gothic style in
middle ages. The building is narrow. There are two Gothic towers of 60 meters
high, and the principal part of the church is at the center.
The church has a discal embossment in the
middle part of the building. The roof is covered with plumbaginous tiles. And
the church is decorated with many sculptures of the Holy Son and the God. The
church has a heart-shaped arch, which is full of catholic atmosphere. In the
hall there are 64 carved circular columns, which are connected with the arches
at the top. There are ambulatories on the top of both sides. The arch of the
hall is high. On the altar far from the door stands the sculpture of Mary
holding the Baby Jesus and looking down the whole hall. There is an Our Lady of
Lourdes small altar behind the main altar. The famous religion painting The
Last Supper hangs on the back wall. With colored glasses enchased, the
windows of the church look delicate and fine. A garden is in front of the
church.