I keep returning to my churches, and there will most likely be more series in the future. Visits to religious buildings have also sparked an interest in religious architecture. I always locate it no matter where I go, even if I'm in a different country. Regardless, the view from those locations is uplifting to my spirit because they are usually empty and calm. A spot where I can go for a walk without feeling like anyone is bothering me as I explore or examine a certain detail. Today, I'm going to tell you about a church in my hometown where I was confirmed when I was about 15 years old. It's called Quan Phuong, and it's a Catholic church in Yen Dinh town, Nam Dinh province (Viet Nam)
I have not had much opportunity to visit my hometown since moving to the Central area to work for nearly ten years; time is limited, and I only have time for critical priorities. However, when I visit my family in March, I try to include a visit to it in my itinerary. It's easy to navigate and find because it's right next to the town's main road, and it's around 30 kilometers from Nam Dinh's center. It was once constructed by locals, although it is unlikely to be of French design, despite the fact that the French ruled the north of the country at the time. This is also the land that many people own. When it was popularized in this coastal territory very early in the 16th century, this is also the land that possesses numerous churches.
It was built in 1928 and has undergone two restorations and repairs, the first to replace the cathedral's lower roofs and domes (due to structural issues) and the second to demolish the existing bell tower and reconstruct two towers today's bell is new (1996).
With a vast campus paved with red bricks, its yellow paint vividly ornamented by the sun, and two bell towers with three floors are about 20m high, reducing towards the top. Red bricks are used to cover the roofs of the two towers (it will be clearer to the naked eye). In Asian style, the majority of the details are more modern.
There are additional stone steles at the foot of it honouring parish priests since the church's foundation (when the Communist Party of Vietnam took power in the North in 1954, and religious persecution led to some priests being arrested and killed. ). The two lines of kanji at the conclusion of the church perplex me and appear to contradict a Catholic church (which I can't translate).
Only a few Gothic characteristics, such as stained glass windows and arches, were visible from the exterior of the main cathedral construction. The martyrs and their defense of the faith are engraved on the glass panels, which appear stunning in good weather.
I snapped a picture via the exterior glass because it isn't open during the day without Mass. To see those windows, I took a picture via the exterior
glass window
Outside the border, there are statues symbolizing Jesus' passion on both sides of the church, as well as a tomb of benefactors who have donated land to the church in the past. It is quite convenient to rest and admire it in the shade of the surrounding trees. At the very least, there are still some little plants and flowers.
I went to evening mass a few days later to take some shots of the inside shortly after Mass ended to see what it looked like inside.
When repaired, a central cathedral directly beneath the great and majestic dome, or its extremely basic ceiling. The glass windows with lights make it much more visible at night. Inside, including the supporting pillars, I found it quite simple. That isn't to say it isn't lovely; it is, after all, a matter of perspective.
Thank you, and I'll see you in the next installment.