Mountain Church of Julong | INUCE • Dirk U. Moench

BACKGROUND: Julong is a new satellite town located 15km away from the 7-million-metropolis of Quanzhou. Since its opening the population has constantly grown, attracting professionals from all over the country. Today, Julong is also home to a small minority of Christian Protestants. For several years the community used to meet in a rented shop front. With services becoming crowded, they have decided to build a proper church for 1000 believers. 

POTENTIALS & RISKS: Nestled at the foot of a mountain peak and surrounded by pristine forests, the acquired plot of land not only offers a breathtaking view, but gives the church the chance to develop into a landmark visible from the entire town. With 20 metres of height difference, however, a major challenge would be to ensure a convenient circulation and intelligent organization within the building, whilst minimizing environmental impact through earthworks and deforestation. 

HOPES & CHALLENGES: The congregation´s expectations were manifold: 

• Theologically, the emerging congregation – composed of believers originating not only from all different parts of the country, but especially from different Christian denominations – was experiencing internal conflict with regards to their diverging liturgic and traditional backgrounds. The new sanctuary´s architecture was expected to satisfy all believers and help establish unity. 

• In a broader sense the congregation wanted this church to become their gift to Julong – an inclusive symbol for a new beginning in a new town – for in this community composed entirely of newly-arrived residents, Christians and non-Christians alike shared the experience of being far from home and having to establish new bonds and roots. 

• Functionally, the program was comprised not just of the sanctuary itself, but also of a long list of rooms for secular community purposes – from the reception lobby to library and study rooms to conference facilities. 

ARCHETYPAL CHURCH: Faced with an array of challenges involving the congregation's mission and its diverse denominational identity, we searched for universally relatable, archetypal biblical motifs as guiding light for architectural decisions. After intensive discussion, a church elder took initiative: “You are Peter, I will build my church on this rock,” His wife continued: “In Julong we join for the first time. We want to be an ark for new members, a safe haven.” 

FUNCTIONALITY & ICONICITY: The church as an ark – floating above the world, anchored in the foundation of faith – an ancient idea. But how do you reconcile the desire for symbolism that is deeply anchored in the Christian faith with the sober requirements of an intensively used, multifunctional architecture? Moved by the imagery, but aware of the project's restraints, our solution comprises two building elements: The lower portion, clad in split granite slabs, mirrors a terraced rock foundation. Its rectangular structure enables flexible subdivision, catering to secular needs. Atop rests the church's nave, evoking the imagery of an abstracted ark, and adorned with scored GRC panels. This choice steers clear of literal interpretations whilst allowing for a nuanced representation of the narrative. 

PERFORMATIVITY & LITURGY: The resulting architecture establishes conditions that encourage the faithful to physically and spiritually engage: Like a pilgrimage, Christians ascend the terraces for worship. Once at the top, they are embraced by the “Paradise” – a medieval element traditionally demarcating the asylum area of a church. Being a circular atrium open to the sky, the Paradise of Julong works as a place of gathering that prepares the Christians for their entry into the “belly” of the ark (also in a musical way, thanks to a 37-piece carillon from the Tyrolean foundry Grassmayr). But contrary to what this metaphor suggests, the sanctuary is neither dark nor unworldly: upon entering, one experiences the total opening of the hall to the green mountain peak. Creation itself becomes part of the liturgic space, providing believers with an archetypal scene of worship transcending liturgical differences. Simply put: in Julong, every service echoes the Sermon on the Mount. 

PUBLIC PRESENCE TO A RELIGIOUS MINORITY: In the context of China´s officially atheistic and traditionally non-Christian environment, the design of the Mountain Church holds profound cultural and societal significance. Drawing inspiration from biblical tradition while eschewing European architectural norms, the church challenges negative perceptions of the Christian minority by effectively bridging cultural divides and underscores thus the importance of architecture as a cultural technique that promotes social balance and public representation. 

Architecture Firm: INUCE • Dirk U. Moench

FJADI Fuzhou (Structure, HVAC, Electric & Water)

Photography: Shikai / INUCE