On June 22, Chengnan Church in Tianxin District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, held a dedication ceremony for its newly completed building, a project that spanned 15 years.
According to Hunan CC&TSPM, construction on the new church began in 2009 and was completed in 2024. The new building — now the largest single church structure in China built with exposed concrete — includes the main sanctuary (Guangyuan Hall), auxiliary chapel (Zhenzhong Hall), the Good Shepherd Building, a cultural exhibition center on the Sinicization of Christianity, and a multi-functional space. It can accommodate approximately 1,200 worshippers at the same time.
The predecessor of Chengnan Church was established by the China Inland Mission in Changsha in 1902, said Baike Baike. British missionary Hudson Taylor played a key role in the church's early development. In 1907, German missionaries built the China Inland Mission Gospel Church on Shetan Street, which merged with the College Street Church in 1909. In 1958, the unified congregation was renamed "Chengnan Church," becoming the main place of worship for believers in the Chengnan District. The church was closed during the Cultural Revolution but reopened in 1982, with a formal rededication ceremony held in 1988. In 2007, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary.
More than 1,300 people attended the recent thanksgiving service, which featured a sermon titled "The Glorious Temple" delivered by the Rev. Huang Kegang, chair of the Changsha TSPM, followed by a prayer of dedication.
During the ceremony, Rev. Xu Yongbin, senior pastor of Chengnan Church, reviewed the construction journey under the theme "Review and Outlook." He reflected on three aspects: "The construction of the temple is beyond what men ask and think," "Looking back, the path is dripping with abundance," and "Looking forward, like an eagle soaring with outstretched wings." He expressed gratitude to God for His guidance, acknowledged the support of local authorities, recognized the contributions of believers, and encouraged both clergy and congregation to remain true to their mission while courageously embracing the future.
The service also featured the performance of nine original sacred music pieces composed by Chengnan Church members.
