THUA THIEN – HUE – Unlike the ancient mausoleums, temples, or religious buildings in Hue, Phu Cam church has a modern and impressive architectural style.
Phu Cam Church is located on a small hill called Phuoc Qua, in Phuoc Vinh ward, on the south bank of the Perfume River, Hue City. The building has a beautiful location, with a large space, surrounded by many other buildings of the Church. This is one of the largest and most famous synagogues in Hue and has a long history.
Phu Cam Church is a work of high historical and architectural value; and this is also a typical and precious work of architect Ngo Viet Thu left for Hue city, along with other works such as Hue University Institute, Hue University of Education, Huong Giang Hotel, Guest House, and many others. Century Hotel. The work is a mark of modern architecture and deserves to be a heritage of the new era of Hue.
Initially, Phu Cam church was Phu Cam chapel built with bamboo pictures at Xóm Da, close to the An Cuu river, by Priest Langlois (1640-1770) in 1682. Only two years when conditions were favorable. profit, this priest himself bought and bought land on Phuoc Qua hill to build a new bigger, and more solid stone building. During the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu (1691-1725), that old church was completely demolished in 1698.
After two centuries with many ups and downs of history, in 1898, Bishop Eugène Marie Allys built a new Phu Cam church with quite massive bricks and tiles. The building was completed in 1902, in the Gothic style. However, this church was replaced in the 60s of the 20th century, due to many reasons such as the increasingly narrow construction compared to the increasing number of local parishioners.
In 1960, Archbishop Peter Martin Ngo Dinh Thuc from Vinh Long received the Archbishop of Hue, he planned to build a new Phu Cam church. In early 1963, he demolished the old church and built a new, larger church according to the design project of architect Ngo Viet Thu. That is the current Phu Cam Cathedral.
Experiencing the ups and downs of times and wars, in May 2000, Phu Cam church designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu was actually completed.
The church has a typical plan of the cross, the top of the cross faces south, the foot of the cross faces north in the main direction of the church. The main facade of the church has a layout for the lobby block and the cathedral in the middle, with two bell towers reaching high on either side. The church was built according to modern techniques with reinforced concrete materials. The bearing structure system is also a key element of the architecture and interior of the building.
Along with the reinforced concrete structure are traditional materials such as stone, wood, and terracotta tiles. The church border window is a combination of arches and across.
Local factors, climate are well studied with arches and deep porches to avoid sun and rain.
The pillars supporting the cathedral’s roof are arranged close to the foot of the border wall, bending to form a dome, as soft as hands clasped when praying. The heart of the church is wide with benches that can accommodate 2,500 people to attend the ceremony. The two sides of the church wall are decorated with wooden frame paintings showing the life of Jesus.
The building does not have cumbersome decorations like classical churches often see, but not so that it is dry. Architect Ngo Viet Thu has skillfully combined structure and architecture, architecture and interior, shapes and lines, shapes and materials… to create a modern, spacious church that is still close.
The crosses on the arches are lined with blue glass that stands out and increase the magic of light when shining from the outside into the lobby.
The main altar is placed close to the back recess of the church and rests on a high dignified pedestal. The cross is made of an old pine tree on Thien An hill with a statue of the crucified Lord.
On either side of the main altar are two memorial spaces. On the left is the altar of the martyr Tong Viet Buong, who was originally from Phu Cam who was killed in 1833. On the right is the grave of the late Archbishop Nguyen Kim Dien (1921-1988), who had the most merit in the year. the construction of this church.
Photo: Internet/ Follow (vnexpress)