Sacred-Heart of Kaifang Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Kaifeng, China.
The Sacred-Heart of Kaifang Cathedral is a Catholic church in Kaifeng with a basilica-style structure and pointed arch windows marking the main southern entrance. The complex includes a multi-story bell tower and an attached episcopal residence serving the religious community.
An Italian priest named Noè Giuseppe Tacconi founded the cathedral in 1917 after traveling to the United States to raise funds for its construction. The project took shape during the challenging period of World War I in a region with growing Catholic presence.
The cathedral continues to serve as a central gathering place for the local Catholic community, where residents participate in regular worship and religious ceremonies. Visitors can sense how the building remains woven into the spiritual life of those who visit.
The best way to approach the building is from the south, where the main entrance with its distinctive pointed arch windows is located. The site with the bell tower and attached buildings can be easily explored on foot.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Bishop Tacconi used the bell tower in a creative way, hoisting large flags as air raid warning signals for the city. This practical use of the structure shows how the church contributed to protecting the local population beyond its religious role.
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