Kouhu Wensheng Catholic Church

Wensheng Catholic Church (文生天主堂) is located in Kouhu, a remote coastal township in Yunlin, Taiwan. It was established in 1958 by a French missionary, Luo Xingta (羅星塔), who had previously spent some time in Zhejiang, China.

Date CapturedJanuary 13th, 2022 at 08:03 UTCCameraNIKON D3400LensAF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR or AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GApertureƒ / 8Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO100Exposure Value14.0 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

By the 1970s the congregation grew to around 200 members from the surrounding countryside but Father Luo was called away in 1978, and his replacement only continued administering the church until 1981. Afterwards the church was effectively abandoned for decades.

Date CapturedJanuary 13th, 2022 at 08:02 UTCCameraNIKON D3400LensAF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G or AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VRApertureƒ / 3.8Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length22.0 mmISO400Exposure Value11.8 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedJanuary 13th, 2022 at 08:06 UTCCameraNIKON D3400LensAF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR or AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GApertureƒ / 3.5Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO640Exposure Value11.6 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

In 2009 local government officials identified the old church as a place with some history and potential for renewal. By 2013 it was successfully listed as a heritage property for the district, and some events were held around the building in 2014, but apart from that little seems to have been done. I saw no evidence of any activity when visiting in 2022.

Date CapturedJanuary 13th, 2022 at 08:02 UTCCameraNIKON D3400LensAF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR or AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6GApertureƒ / 5.6Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length22.0 mmISO400Exposure Value12.9 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Date CapturedJanuary 13th, 2022 at 08:04 UTCCameraNIKON D3400LensAF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G or AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VRApertureƒ / 5.6Shutter Speed1/250 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO200Exposure Value12.9 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400