A 100-year-old church in Shanghai hosted a service to mark the 20th anniversary of the dedication of its new building.
During the sacred music Sunday service, President Rev. Wu Wei of the China Christian Council (CCC) shared a sermon titled "The Lord's Church" in Pu'an Church on July 21, reported Shanghai CC&TSPM. Choir members, dressed in traditional holy robes and clothing with Chinese traditional elements, sang classic and modern Chinese hymns.
Elder Chen Zhimin, director of Jinshan District CC&TSPM, preached a sermon titled "Now I Come to Pu'an Church."
The service concluded with a prayer of benediction from Chairman Xu Xiaohong of the National TSPM.
To commemorate this significant moment, Pu'an Church underwent a renovation starting in the second half of last year, rejuvenating the church that combines modern architectural styles with the biblical imagery of "Noah's Ark."
Originally named Full Gospel Church, the church was established by members of the Anglican Church of North America in 1924 in Wusong District. An American construction worker named Dwight H. Clibb relocated and reconstructed the church in Dayang Bridge, Zhabei Area, in the 1930s. After Dwight H. Clibb returned to the United States in the 1950s, Chinese pastors oversaw the church. In 1958, joint worship was implemented, and the church was preserved, incorporating the Holy Spirit Church, Shanghai Heavenly Church and another church. In 1990, out of more than 3,000 believers in the entire district, more than 2,000 attended services conducted in the church. Until July 21, 2004, a modern church with an area of about 2,000 square meters (0.494 acres) was built, symbolizing Noah's Ark from the appearance.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
