Hongdetang Church

Hongde Church, also known as “Northern‑Shanghai Hongde Church”, is located at No. 59 Duolun Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai. First built in the 14th year of the Republic of China (1925), it was designed by Yang Xiliu from the Kai‑Tai Architectural Firm and constructed by Jiang Yu‑ji Construction Company, run by Chinese Christians.

Hongde Church is the only Christian church in Shanghai that features traditional Chinese palace‑style architecture. Its exterior adopts a Chinese‑palace style with classic structural elements of upturned eaves and bracket sets (dougong). The roof is a double‑eaved grey cylindrical‑tile roof, while partial sections adopt a Sino‑Western integrated design. The outer walls are built of blue bricks, decorated with red‑painted concrete columns imitating timber structures, and rich‑coloured paintings adorn the areas beneath the eaves.

The church follows a rectangular Basilica‑style floor plan, a layout originating from ancient Roman public buildings. Its interior boasts the lofty spatial characteristic of Western‑style churches. The ground‑floor space serves as a small chapel (formerly occupied by Xiude Primary School). The large hall on the second floor is the main worship area, consisting of a nave, side aisles and an altar. The third‑floor gallery contains an embedded mezzanine viewing stand.

On 15 February 1994, Hongde Church was designated by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government as one of the Second‑Batch Excellent Historical Buildings of Shanghai.

Opening Hours

Open: 6:00‑20:30 on Sundays 

Geographical Location

Hongde Church is situated at No. 59 Duolun Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai.