A Journey Through Time on the Wings of Faith and Architecture: Special Exhibition on the Holy Cross Church Opens at the Museum of World Religions
The Museum of World Religions (MWR), located in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, continues its mission of fostering interfaith dialogue. From April 11 to August 31, the museum presents a special exhibition titled The Beauty of Religious Architecture: The Jingliao Holy Cross Church. Centered on the theme “Hope Shall Shine Upon Us Special Exhibition,” the exhibition invites visitors to step into the rice field landscapes of Houbi, Tainan, and discover a Catholic church that carries a century of blessings—unveiling a beautiful narrative where faith, architecture, and the land are deeply intertwined.
The special exhibition opened with a ceremony at 3 p.m. on April 11 at the Museum of World Religions, drawing a distinguished gathering of guests. Among them were Fr. Lu Tien-en, parish priest of the Jingliao Holy Cross Church; Assistant Professor Hsu Chang-chih of the Department of Architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University; Acting Executive Director Shen Meng-ying of the Taiwan Museum Cultural Foundation; architect Chao Bo-yu of Studio Tngtetshiu; Assistant Research Fellow Lin Yi-hung of the National Taiwan Museum; and Yonghe District Director Chou Ching-jeng. The event featured a guided tour led by exhibition planning specialist Wu Yun-wei, and the venue exuded a warm and sacred atmosphere of serenity and reverence.
Promoting interfaith exchange and dialogue has long been a core mission of Dharma Master Hsin Tao, founder of the Museum of World Religions. This special exhibition continues that vision, centering on the theme of “hope” as it revisits the origins and spiritual essence of a unique Catholic church. As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate its 2025 Jubilee Year under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, the story of the Jingliao Holy Cross Church emerges as a sincere and universally resonant symbol within Taiwan’s rich religious landscape.
Venerable Xian Yue, CEO of the Museum of World Religions Foundation, affirmed the significance of this special exhibition. He noted that MWR Founder Dharma Master Hsin Tao believes Taiwan’s decades of stability and prosperity owe much to the quiet yet vital power of religion. As a platform for interfaith dialogue, the museum fosters understanding and learning through its exhibitions and activities. Venerable Xian Yue expressed hope that this exhibition marks the beginning of a series, one that explores the beauty of Taiwan’s religious architecture and the stories of devoted clergy who have served this land. Through these stories, the seeds of love and compassion may continue to multiply and spread, touching ever more hearts.
Built in 1955, the Jingliao Holy Cross Church was a collaborative effort between German priest Fr. Eric Jansen and local residents. Together, they constructed a striking example of modern German architecture, distinguished by its quadrangular pyramid-shaped spire — a testament to the aesthetic beauty of religious architecture. However, decades of exposure to natural elements have taken their toll on the church’s structure. A full-scale restoration project was launched this February to preserve this cultural landmark.
As the church temporarily closed for renovations, the Museum of World Religions seized the opportunity to curate this special exhibition by proactively coordinating the loan of precious artifacts and historical documents from the Holy Cross Church. With the support of the National Taiwan Museum, the Taiwan Museum Cultural Foundation, and Studio tngtetshiu, the exhibition brings the church’s spirit to life in a new setting, ensuring its legacy continues during this period of restoration.
The exhibition is divided into three main thematic areas across two floors of the Museum of World Religions, creating a route that complements the museum’s permanent displays.
On the 7th floor, the Pilgrimage Pathway features the theme "Hope Shall Shine Upon Us," echoing the exhibition title and highlighting the power of faith. This section focuses on how belief inspires and strengthens people, showcasing Fr. Eric Jansen’s handwritten missionary diaries, photographs documenting the church’s construction, and a scale model of the church. In the MWR Grand Showroom, the second thematic area, titled "A Catholic Church in a Rice Field," displays rotating exhibits that detail the history of the church’s construction and its ongoing renovation. Visitors can view hand-drawn sketches and designs by architect Bohm, images of the original cross atop the church’s roof, as well as cross-sectional and simulation drawings of the church’s restoration project, visually demonstrating the deep connection between the church and the land it inhabits.
The third and final area, "Glorious Holy Cross," located in the Chamber of Disappearance within the Hall of Life’s Journey on the 6th floor, explores the power of religious symbolism. The highlight of this section includes sacred relics such as the Jingliao church’s cross, as well as pews from the church. Visitors are invited to sit on these pews and reflect on the enduring presence of faith as they experience the journey of the church.
This exhibition not only showcases the beauty of religious architecture but also underscores the deep connections between people, God, and the land. In times of turmoil and uncertainty, a church serves as a sanctuary of faith and a witness to history. A visit to the Museum of World Religions is more than just an exhibition—it is a pilgrimage of the soul. We invite visitors to explore the intertwined stories of architecture and faith, rediscovering the “hope” that resides within their hearts.
The special exhibition opened with a ceremony at 3 p.m. on April 11 at the Museum of World Religions, drawing a distinguished gathering of guests. Among them were Fr. Lu Tien-en, parish priest of the Jingliao Holy Cross Church; Assistant Professor Hsu Chang-chih of the Department of Architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University; Acting Executive Director Shen Meng-ying of the Taiwan Museum Cultural Foundation; architect Chao Bo-yu of Studio Tngtetshiu; Assistant Research Fellow Lin Yi-hung of the National Taiwan Museum; and Yonghe District Director Chou Ching-jeng. The event featured a guided tour led by exhibition planning specialist Wu Yun-wei, and the venue exuded a warm and sacred atmosphere of serenity and reverence.
Promoting interfaith exchange and dialogue has long been a core mission of Dharma Master Hsin Tao, founder of the Museum of World Religions. This special exhibition continues that vision, centering on the theme of “hope” as it revisits the origins and spiritual essence of a unique Catholic church. As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate its 2025 Jubilee Year under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, the story of the Jingliao Holy Cross Church emerges as a sincere and universally resonant symbol within Taiwan’s rich religious landscape.
Venerable Xian Yue, CEO of the Museum of World Religions Foundation, affirmed the significance of this special exhibition. He noted that MWR Founder Dharma Master Hsin Tao believes Taiwan’s decades of stability and prosperity owe much to the quiet yet vital power of religion. As a platform for interfaith dialogue, the museum fosters understanding and learning through its exhibitions and activities. Venerable Xian Yue expressed hope that this exhibition marks the beginning of a series, one that explores the beauty of Taiwan’s religious architecture and the stories of devoted clergy who have served this land. Through these stories, the seeds of love and compassion may continue to multiply and spread, touching ever more hearts.
Built in 1955, the Jingliao Holy Cross Church was a collaborative effort between German priest Fr. Eric Jansen and local residents. Together, they constructed a striking example of modern German architecture, distinguished by its quadrangular pyramid-shaped spire — a testament to the aesthetic beauty of religious architecture. However, decades of exposure to natural elements have taken their toll on the church’s structure. A full-scale restoration project was launched this February to preserve this cultural landmark.
As the church temporarily closed for renovations, the Museum of World Religions seized the opportunity to curate this special exhibition by proactively coordinating the loan of precious artifacts and historical documents from the Holy Cross Church. With the support of the National Taiwan Museum, the Taiwan Museum Cultural Foundation, and Studio tngtetshiu, the exhibition brings the church’s spirit to life in a new setting, ensuring its legacy continues during this period of restoration.
The exhibition is divided into three main thematic areas across two floors of the Museum of World Religions, creating a route that complements the museum’s permanent displays.
On the 7th floor, the Pilgrimage Pathway features the theme "Hope Shall Shine Upon Us," echoing the exhibition title and highlighting the power of faith. This section focuses on how belief inspires and strengthens people, showcasing Fr. Eric Jansen’s handwritten missionary diaries, photographs documenting the church’s construction, and a scale model of the church. In the MWR Grand Showroom, the second thematic area, titled "A Catholic Church in a Rice Field," displays rotating exhibits that detail the history of the church’s construction and its ongoing renovation. Visitors can view hand-drawn sketches and designs by architect Bohm, images of the original cross atop the church’s roof, as well as cross-sectional and simulation drawings of the church’s restoration project, visually demonstrating the deep connection between the church and the land it inhabits.
The third and final area, "Glorious Holy Cross," located in the Chamber of Disappearance within the Hall of Life’s Journey on the 6th floor, explores the power of religious symbolism. The highlight of this section includes sacred relics such as the Jingliao church’s cross, as well as pews from the church. Visitors are invited to sit on these pews and reflect on the enduring presence of faith as they experience the journey of the church.
This exhibition not only showcases the beauty of religious architecture but also underscores the deep connections between people, God, and the land. In times of turmoil and uncertainty, a church serves as a sanctuary of faith and a witness to history. A visit to the Museum of World Religions is more than just an exhibition—it is a pilgrimage of the soul. We invite visitors to explore the intertwined stories of architecture and faith, rediscovering the “hope” that resides within their hearts.