Xuanwumen Catholic Cathedral (also called South Church, or Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to use its official name) is located in Xicheng District. First built in 1605 and rebuilt in 1904, it is the earliest Catholic church in Beijing. 

When the Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci came to China during the reign of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was granted a Chinese style residence, which he converted into a chapel in 1605.  A church was built there 45 years later, and with the installation of its first Bishop in 1690 became a cathedral.  The cathedral was detroyed several times through natural disaster and also by the Boxer Uprising in 1900.  The current cathedral was rebuilt in 1904 in its current Baroque style.

At present, masses conducted by more than 10 Chinese priests attract an increasing number of Chinese and foreign worshippers each Sunday, and the church is always crowded during Easter and Christmas.

For photos of Xuanwumen Catholic Cathedral , click here!