臺北市政府文化局

As everyone in Taipei knows, when visitors come from out of town, they must visit Dadaocheng. Stretching from Ganzhou Street to Dihua Street, the district is full of shops selling a variety of snacks, pastries, and dry goods, making it an iconic site for Taiwan’s popular food culture.

For travelers interested in Taipei history, the Taiwan Presbyterian Church is a must-visit. Located on Ganzhou Street, the church building was constructed during the Japanese colonial period by tea magnate Li Chunsheng, at his own expense, to provide a new home for the church founded by Rev. George Leslie Mackay. For the devout, wealthy connoisseur Li Chunsheng, religious devotion meant using the best materials and the most beautiful designs. The church building is constructed of red brick in a predominantly Gothic style, with symmetrical windows, small spires, and gables. The terrazzo facade even incorporates traditional Taiwanese motifs.

Morning visitors coming on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month can even enjoy a guided tour of the interior. Inside the chapel is the large forty-stop pipe organ, crafted by Swiss craftsmen, that accompanies the congregation in their hymns.

“I cannot tear myself away from Taiwan in my heart! All my joy in life is here,” said Rev. Mackay. He also said that he had found his “final home for life” in Taiwan. He left the church he established with a beautiful home, in which it has continued to pass on his legacy for over a hundred years. In May 2002, then-DirectorGeneral of the Department of Cultural Affairs Lung Ying-tai and others intervened to prevent the church from being demolished. It was decided to relocate and restore the building.