Hangzhou Sicheng Church has been holding a one-month long exhibition of historical pictures and relics of Christianity since September 1, 2017 to celebrate its 90th anniversary.
The church's official website states that 64 relics and 153 pictures are on display. The pictures, mainly old ones, are classified into six categories: "church personages", "church schools", "church hospitals", "theological education", "charities", and "Christian organizations and institutions". The cultural relics are also divided into six categories: "hymns", "the Bible", "newspapers, programmes, baptism certificates, brochures, constitutions, and associations' journals", "old pictures, drawings, and calligraphy", "books", and "objects".
Christianity was introduced in Hangzhou in 1859 by a missionary couple from the United States. Missionaries and Chinese pastors were active in preaching and the number of local believers increased sharply. Churches, Christian organizations, hospitals, and church schools were established and philanthropy was carried out, influencing and contributing to the city's economy, lifestyle, and education.
The name "Sicheng Church" was given in memory of Rev. Zhang Chengzhai, the first Chinese pastor. The Chinese-style church has a plain cross, with the outside wall made of grey bricks and there are pine beams laid out symmetrically inside. The current regular church attendance reaches around 5,000.
- Translated by Karen Luo
