‘First’ church in Japan celebrates 150th anniversary

Jul 12, 2024

By Mark Saludes
Tsukiji Church, a cornerstone of Catholic heritage in Tokyo, celebrated its 150th anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass on June 30, presided over by Archbishop Isao Kikuchi.

Known also as the Old Cathedral of St Joseph, it stands as the first Catholic church in Tokyo, Japan.

Established in November 1874 by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, a Roman Catholic missionary organisation, the church initially served as the cathedral for the bishop of Tokyo, marking the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Japan.

With the establishment of the Archdiocese of Tokyo in 1891, Tsukiji Church functioned as the cathedral until 1920, after which the cathedral status was transferred to Sekiguchi Church (St. Mary’s Cathedral).

The church was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and subsequently rebuilt in 1927. Its design, inspired by St Madeleine Cathedral in Paris, mirrors the classical structure of an ancient Greek temple, with a facade featuring six Doric columns and a gable adorned with carvings of lilies and roses. On June 1, 1999, Tsukiji Church was recognised as one of Tokyo’s historical buildings.

In his homily, Archbishop Kikuchi noted that the Tsukiji Church was founded during a period when it was still difficult for Christians to operate freely, highlighting that it was only in 1873 that the ban against Christianity was lifted.

He reflected on the severe hardships faced by early missionaries, saying, “150 years ago, both the missionaries and the faithful must have faced difficulties that are unimaginable to us today.”

He emphasised the foundation of hope and collaboration between foreign missionaries and Japanese believers upon which the church was built.

He reminded the faithful that the first missionaries advanced Christianity amid persecution, by steadfastly moving forward.

“When we feel powerless, the temptation is to retreat to past glories rather than forge ahead. But time only moves forward. Going backwards is not an option,” said the prelate.

Archbishop Kikuchi urged the Catholic faithful to move forward with a positive attitude. “Let us be a Church that shines the light of hope. This light is kindled by our mutual support, our synodality, our solidarity, and most importantly, the presence of the Lord walking with us,” he said. --licas.news