This church was designed by Father Jean-Louis Relave, who was sent by the Paris Foreign Missions Society to promote Catholic missions

in the Tango region, and built by local craftsmen in 1896 (Meiji 29).　

It is the oldest wooden Catholic church in Japan where Mass is still celebrated. The front façade was reconstructed due to the Kitatango earthquake in 1927, but it still occupies an important position in the history of church architecture in Japan. 

Under the protection of 

St. John the Baptist

Catholic churches used to be called 

Tenshudo 天主堂,

as shown on the front of this church.

The whole building was dedicated to 

St. John the Baptist 洗者聖若翰,

asking for his protection.

Wooden rib vault ceiling:

East meets West

The structure of the interior ceiling is

in rib vault built by local ship carpenters,

whose advanced skills enabled them

to join ribs and planks with precision.

This was because Miyazu had prospered

as a busy trading port, 

and they may have felt as if they were building the bottom of a ship.

Basilica- style church

made of local Zelkova wood

The red brown zelkova colonnades create 

a tranquil atmosphere in this basilica-style church.

Note the superb workmanship of the column heads.

The Japanese mastery of Western building techniques 

is also evident here. 

Tatami-covered nave:

reminiscent of the Meiji period

While many Catholic churches in Japan built after

the lifting of the ban on Christianity have over time replaced their congregational seating with chairs,

this church retains the tatami-covered nave from

its original construction.

Surrounded by

bright colorful lights

The colored glass panels with

small chrysanthemum patterns in

the widows were sent from France. They were set in geometrically designed wooden frames to create stained-glass-like effects.

At the far end of the chancel,

the window glass panels were

hand-painted with flowers.

Kanji engravings

for the Christian faith

The door in the center of the partition is carved

with essentials for Mass and an anchor

which is a symbol of hope.

Closer up, you can also see the Kanji characters

for “love (charity)”', “belief” and “'hope”.

Father Relave, who was fluent in Japanese,

presented these as the essence of the Christian faith.

Sakasabashira to wish for safety

There are three Sakasabashira,

upside-down pillars in the partition

separating the chancel and the nave.

The partition was made by

Japanese shrine carpenters 

who following their traditional superstitions.

They deliberately erected Salasabashira

to ward off evil spirits.

 The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Jesus' own heart, to which he points,

symbolizes God's love for all mankind.

The crown of thorns entwined around the heart

represents the sins of those who hurt Jesus,

while the spreading flames represent His burning love.　

The Virgin and Child with a lily

The infant Jesus holds a globe,

representing the Savior of the whole world.

The Blessed Virgin wears a crown,

indicating that she is the "Queen of Heaven."

The lily in her right hand is a symbol of

the pure and innocent Virgin Mary. 

St. John the Baptist

 St. John the Baptist was the man who baptized Jesus.

He preached to the people to be baptized and repent

in preparation for the Savior's coming.

He lived in the wilderness, so he is dressed in camel skin.

His right hand points to heaven, indicating that

the Savior will soon descend to earth.

St. Joseph: Man of Virtue

St. Joseph is the husband of the Virgin Mary

and the foster father of Jesus.

He was righteous and faithful, silently fulfilling God's wishes.

The lily in his left hand is based on the biblical account

that a lily bloomed on his stick to indicate

that God had chosen him to be Mary's husband.

The Cross

Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross

to atone for the sins of mankind.

He died for us.

That is why the cross has become

an object of worship and a sign of salvation.

The Altar

The altar is Christ's table.

At Mass, after the Bible readings,

the homily, and the profession of faith,

the Last Supper" is re-enacted.

The Tabernacle

The cloth-covered container behind the altar is

the “Tabernacle” which enshrines

the Holy Communion in the chalice.

A red lamp is kept alight to indicate

the presence of Christ.

There are 14 copper-print reproductions

hanging on the walls of the church.

They are called “The Stations of the Cross”,

and they portray the events of Christ’s Passion.

The congregation follows each one,

reflecting on the sacrifices of Jesus.

Together with the statues of the Virgin Mary

and the Tabernacle, they are found

only in the Catholic Church.