In early August, two stone structures and a Christian tombstone, believed to originate from a former Christian cemetery in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, were discovered.
According to Zhongshan CC&TSPM, after consulting historical records and interviewing local elders, the items were confirmed to be relics from the former Chaqiao Christian Cemetery (Fengzhen Villa). On August 21, the municipal CC&TSPM worked with relevant authorities to relocate the artifacts to the Shayong Christian Cemetery for preservation.
The stone structures were identified as pillars of a cemetery archway, each carved from solid granite, measuring four meters in length, buried 1.1 meters deep, and with a cross-section of 28 by 28 centimeters. The pillars bear an inscribed couplet reading, "There is no art of immortality in this world, yet here lies the hope of resurrection." They also record the names of five founding members of Zhongshan Congregational Church—Zheng Runfu, Huang Jie'an, Zheng Gansheng, Wang Tang, and Zheng Zhaobin—who carved the stones together. The inscription is dated 1919.
Historical records, including Zhongshan Christian Church Historical Materials and Zhongshan History (Volume 17), note that a cemetery once known as "Fengzhen Villa" was located on a hill behind Chaqiaoluo in the suburbs of Shiqi. Donated by Zheng Gansheng and his son Zheng Zhaobin to Shiqi Congregational Church, it covered more than 0.49 acres and served as a church cemetery. The site was later destroyed due to historical circumstances, after which bamboo farming was introduced, leaving the cemetery in neglect.
Zhongshan CC&TSPM has announced plans to re-erect the stone structures at a suitable site within the Shayong Cemetery.
