A Place for Prayer: Guangzhou’s Churches and Mosques

In our last article (Calm Amid the City Bustle: Guangzhou’s Historic Temples), we took you on a tour of Guangzhou’s most famous Daoist and Buddhist temples; in this one, we’ll look at places of worship for Christians and Muslims.

Christianity (Protestant)

Guangxiao Christian Church

光孝堂

29 Guangxiao Lu, Yuexiu District Guangxiao Christian Church

Guangxiao is one of the city’s biggest churches, seating up to 1,200 worshippers. It’s unusual in that it was founded by local Christians rather than foreign missionaries. The building shows both Chinese and Italian influences, and features some wonderful paintings.

Dongshan Christian Church

东山堂

9 Sibei Tongjin, Yuexiu District Dongshan Christian Church

Dongshan Christian Church dates back to 1870, when American missionaries purchased a shopfront and converted it to a school and gospel hall. The current building is over 80 years old. It’s a modest church, but a testament to Guangzhou’s history of religious diversity.

Zion Christian Church

锡安堂

392 Renmin Zhonglu, Yuexiu District Zion Christian Church

Zion Christian Church’s story reflects China’s turbulent 20th century. It was founded in 1901, while the Qing Emperors still ruled, by a Chinese-American pastor. The original building burned down, and it was rebuilt in 1936, reopened in 1980 and has been an important center of worship ever since.

The Christian Church of Our Savior

基督教救主堂

184 Wanfu Lu, Yuexiu District The Christian Church of Our Savior

This church blends western and Chinese traditions in its architecture. The combination of red brick and green ceramics gives it an eye-catching appearance. The Church of Our Savior recently celebrated its centenary, having been opened in 1921.

Henan Christian Church

河南堂

23 Hongde Wuxiang, Hongde Lu, Haizhu District Henan Christian Church

Henan Church looks more like a temple than a Christian place of worship, with its distinctly Chinese staircase and roof. The name has nothing to do with Henan Province, but simply means that it’s south of the Pearl River.

Christianity (Roman Catholic)

Sacred Heart Cathedral

圣心大教堂

56 Yide Lu, Yuexiu District Sacred Heart Cathedral

This impressive building is known locally as the “Stone House”. It’s one of the few churches in the world to be built entirely of granite. Construction was funded by the French Emperor Napoleon III, and the frontage is modelled on a Parisian basilica, though it may remind you of Notre Dame itself. The cathedral took 25 years to build and was completed in 1888.

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

沙面露德圣母堂

14 Shamian Dajie, Liwan District The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes lies in the old French Concession on Shamian Island. Completed only two years after Sacred Heart Cathedral, in 1890, its whitewashed exterior presents a more modern appearance. It’s worth visiting for some impressive stained glass windows.

Islam

Please be aware that most Muslim places of worship are not open to the public. However, you can enjoy the exterior of these historic buildings even if you do not practice the faith.

Huaisheng Mosque

怀圣寺

56 Guangta Lu, Yuexiu District Huaisheng Mosque

Huaisheng is not only China’s oldest mosque, but one of the oldest in the world, possibly dating back to 627CE. Its 36-meter minaret used to dominate the city’s skyline, and gives the mosque its nickname: the “Lighthouse Mosque.”

Haopan Mosque

濠畔寺

378 Haopan Jie, Haizhu District Haopan Mosque

Compared to Huaisheng, Haopan Mosque is a relative newcomer, at a mere 500 years old.

Abi Waqqas Mosque And Tomb

先贤清真寺

901 Jiefang Beilu, Yuexiu District Abi Waqqas Mosque And Tomb

The Abi Waqqas complex is Guangzhou’s biggest mosque. It’s also important for another reason: it houses the tomb of revered Muslim sage Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas. He was one of the first converts to the new religion. Abi Waqqas was sent on a mission to China by the third Caliph, and when Islam descended into civil war he returned there to spend the rest of his life in peace. Pilgrims come not only from China, but from across the world to pay their respects at his burial place.

Islam