The Growth History of the Sacred Heart Church of Jesus
In April 1954, Fr. Lin Ruowang rented a residential building on Zhongshan Road to start missionary work. As the number of people attending the sermons increased, the residential building became inadequate. Therefore, he purchased land and an old residential building of the current site from the Zou family on Ximen Street for use.
In June 1954, Bishop Eugene Fahy, invited the Sisters of Carmelite Monastery from the United States to Taiwan. Eight Sisters from the congregation arrived at the temporary convent on Ximen Street on Pentecost.
In June 1955, Fr.Palm and Fr. James E. Thornton rented a residential house near Ximen Street to begin preaching in Minnan dialect, while Masses were held in the small chapel of the convent.
On January 6, 1958, the Feast of the Epiphany, the Sisters of Carmelite Monastery moved to their newly built convent on Zhongzheng Road. One month later, the location of the Sacred Heart Church of Jesus was moved from Zhongshan Road to the current site on Ximen Street, with Fr. Klaeser taking charge of the church's development and Fr. Palm providing support.
From 1959 to 1965, Fr. John Palm tirelessly raised funds for the construction of a new church. With the strong support of his mother, family, and friends in the United States, he finally secured the necessary funds. However, just as the construction was about to begin, he did not receive approval from the provincial superior . This might have been God's will, and the work on the church was temporarily halted.
In 1970, after a long five-year wait, the Jesuit Superior General finally approved the construction of the Sacred Heart Church of Jesus on Ximen Street. During these five years, there were significant changes in liturgy. Pope Paul VI had introduced new liturgical and architectural norms in 1969 following the Second Vatican Council. Consequently, the church envisioned by Fr. John Palm underwent substantial modifications, shifting from a Western style to a Chinese style. The design featured three octagonal structures of varying sizes, connected in a Chinese palace style, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The church's interior was also adapted to local tastes, including the altar, seating, hanging lamps, and offerings.
On January 1, 1971, Bishop Edward Idris Cassidy the Apostolic Nunciature to China, laid the foundation for the construction.
On June 4, 1972, during the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the first bishop of the Hsinchu Diocese, Bishop Peter Tou Pao-zin consecrated and dedicated the church, establishing it as a pilgrimage site for the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Hsinchu Diocese. Thus, a beautiful, solemn, unique, and meaningful church was completed.
In June 2015, during the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we joyfully celebrated the 60th anniversary of our parish and the 43rd anniversary of the church building with hearts full of gratitude on June 13th.
On July 30, 2017, Fr. Li Hua, Provincial Superior of the Jesuits, returned the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church to the diocese, where it was received by Bishop John Lee Keh-mien of the Hsinchu Diocese. At the same time, Bishop Li entrusted the pastoral responsibility of the parish to the Consolata Missionaries (represented by Fr.Tamrat Dafar, the Superior General). Additionally, Fr. Mathews Owuor was appointed as the parish priest.
In 2019, we celebrated the 65th anniversary of our parish with a Thanksgiving Mass and a parish anniversary concert. That same year, we also marked the 118th anniversary of the Consolata Missionaries with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Bishop Li Kemian and other concelebrating priests.
In 2024, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of our parish and the 52nd anniversary of the church building.