St. Joseph’s Church

Historical Heritage

St. Joseph’s Church, commonly known as the Wangfujing Church, is the best known Catholic Church in Beijing. The building’s grey brick and wooden structure are a fusion of grandiose Chinese and western architectural styles. Built by Italian and Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in 1655, this Romanesque Revival church was damaged several times by earthquake, fire and the Boxer rebels. It was in 1904 that the church finally became what it looks like today. Now offering religious services for Chinese and foreign believers alike, St. Joseph’s has become the main site for Christmas mass in Beijing. Every Christmas Eve, lighting around the church shows off the gorgeous building set against the dark blue sky.

Address: 74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng district
Tel: 010-6524 0634