Cu Lao Gieng Church is more than 100 years old - the oldest church in Cochinchina
Cu Lao Gieng Church is more than 100 years old - the oldest church in Cochinchina
Cu Lao Gieng Church is more than 100 years old - the oldest church in Cochinchina
An Giang
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Gieng Island Cathedral, also known as Dau Nuoc Family Cathedral, is a church belonging to Long Xuyen Diocese, located in Tan Binh hamlet, Tan My commune, Cho Moi district. According to old documents, this was the first cathedral in the South, built 13 years before Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon.
Cu Lao Gieng Church is an ancient architectural work built by priest Gafignol (often called Father Nho) in the year At Hoi 1875, during the reign of Tu Duc. Building a large church on an island almost isolated from the outside world at that time was extremely difficult. Most of the raw materials had to be brought from France. In the year of the Pig, 1887, during Dong Khanh's reign, the project was completed.
In 1924, during the time of pastor M. Hion, the church was built behind an additional room to serve as a sacristy. Since its construction, the church has undergone many restorations in the years: 1924, 1960, 1994, 2003, so it has become more and more spacious.
Gieng Islet Church is designed according to Romane motifs, built on an area of 7,367m2. The bell tower is 35m high, round in shape at the top, square at the bottom with many elaborate and sophisticated carved patterns. The walls of the church are built from solid, large and sturdy bricks along with adhesives such as glue and accessories. The church walls are quite thick so the inside of the church is always cool.
Here, visitors can see floor tiles that have remained the same color and pattern for more than a hundred years. When stepping through the large wooden door, you immediately see the soaring dome of the church. On both sides are majestic and luxurious columns, making people feel like they are entering an ancient European space.
The ceiling of the church is a soaring semicircular dome with beautiful patterned borders. The main shrine worships the statue of the Immaculate Conception brought from France, and to this day the materials and colors are still intact.
In front of the church is a high bell tower, in the bell tower there are two bronze bells cast in France, respectfully offered by Mr. Paul Le Van Sang's family, placed on the first and upper floors. The church has three rooms, the main room is 8m wide, and the two auxiliary rooms are each 4m wide. Currently, the crypt of Father Augustinus-Baptista Gazignol and the two curate priests is still in the middle below the walkway inside the church.
Not far from Gieng island church is the Franciscan monastery and the monastery of Divine Providence. Unique architectural works located next to each other along the banks of the island, facing the Tien River, contribute to making Gieng Island more attractive because of the ancient features of the Mekong River garden that few places have. .
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