Xiangfen County has a long history. The subordinate Xiangling County and Fencheng Town were famous counties in history, well known as "Gold Xiangling and Silver Taiping". Xi Shengmo, historically the first local pastor in Shanxi, was a native of this county. With a long history, the Christian church in Gucheng Town has been the residence of the county CC&TSPM for many years.
According to Xiangfen County Annals, "Christianity in Xiangfen County was introduced from Linfen City and Xinjiang County respectively. In 1817, British Pastor Mark John and others built a church in Fencheng Town and developed more than 10 followers."
In 1893, two churches were built on Xiangling East Street with 10 followers. Six years later, Pastor Tong and his family went from Linfen City to Henan Province, passing through Fencheng Town where they spent 15 days preaching. Xi Zizhi, later renamed Xi Shengmo, from Xizhang Village of Xiangling County became a church member in Linfen City and preached in the Fendong area of Xiangling County.
In 1910, Gospel Church, subordinate to Linfen Church, was established in Xiangling County. In 1917, Xinjiang Church members went to Fencheng County to preach the gospel, and Gospel Church was located towards the western entrance of Fencheng County. In 1937, Danish and Australian pastors presided over the church affairs. Meantime, the number of believers increased to more than 200, and churches were set up in six villages; pastors, elders, deacons, and other professional religious personnel were set up to manage church affairs; there were more than 100 believers in Xiangling County and more than 200 believers in Fencheng Town. The following year, Fencheng Church built the Bo'ai Primary School in Dongpobao, which was later closed four years later.
From 1955 to 1956, Fencheng Church moved to Gucheng East Street. During the Cultural Revolution, religious activities were suspended.
In 1979 when the policy of religious freedom started to be implemented, church activities resumed, resulting in the emergence of more than 50 believers for the church. In 1985, Wang Tingxiu was elected by the church as the elder. In August of that year, Pastor Wan Rong was in charge there and there were 10 activity points in the county.
In 1986, the AnLi activity point was added; in 1990, Niu Lanxi was elected as an elder of the church. In 1992, two pastors were appointed and there were more than 120 believers of the church. In April 1993, two believers were elected as the 9th County CPPCC members. In March 1995, the establishment of an activity site in Xiji Village was approved, and the site involved five surrounding villages. That year, 12 activity venues were approved.
In 1996, Gucheng Town, Xiangling South Street, Jiao Village were rated as five virtuous churches, and there were 1,164 believers that year. In 2005, there were 2,360 believers, many of whom were farmers. In July, Pastor Yang Yuhu was elected as the president of Xiangfen County CC and in October, he was elected as the vice-president of Linfen CC and director of Xiangfen County TSPM.
- Translated by Stephen Huang
