Huyen Si Church

1 Tôn Thất Tùng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Now Open

Description

The Huyen Si Church in District 1 is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful churches in the city. It was built between 1902 and 1905 at the intersection of Rue Frère Louis (now Nguyen Trai Street) and Rue Frère Guilleraut (now Ton That Tung Street).

History of Huyen Sy Church

Mr. and Mrs. Le Phat Dat have donated the church (Mr. and Mrs. Huyen Sy). The construction began in 1902 according to Father Bouttier’s plan, and it was inaugurated in 1905. The church is situated on a one-hectare tract of land at the intersection of Frère Louis (currently Nguyen Trai Street) and Frère Guilleraut (now Ton That Tung Street).

Initially, the church was known as Dui Market Church and was part of the Cho Dui parish. Saint Philippe, however, is the patron saint of Huyen Sy, therefore it is also known as the Church of Saint Philippe. However, the locals continue to refer to this church as the Huyen Sy Church, which has increasingly become its common name.

Architecture of Huyen Sy Church

The church is a bold example of Gothic architecture. The spectacular bell tower is 57 meters tall, including the height of the crucifix and the Gaulois rooster statue. The bell tower has a cube design, with granite columns. A marble statue of Saint Philippe is positioned over the main door arch. Within the tower are four bells crafted in France in 1905. Mr. John Baotixita Le Phat Thanh and Mrs. Anna Do Thi Thao, son and daughter-in-law of Mr. Huyen Sy, respectively, gave two huge bells with a diameter of 1.05 meters. The two 0.95-meter-diameter tiny bells were cast in the same year as the large bell, but the donor’s name was not recorded; likely Mr. and Mrs. Huyen Sy.

It is forty meters long and eighteen meters wide. The room for believers contains four seats. The columns are also clad in granite, which gives them a sturdy appearance. The dome has several bow-shaped protrusions. The walls are filled with windows, and their apexes are pointed-bow shaped. On the walls are numerous statues of saints. Saint Palace contains a statue of Jesus as well as statues of many saints. In the left roof area is a plaster bust of Mr. Huyen Sy, and behind it is a burial of patterned marble. On the grave is a marble statue of Mr. Huyen Sy in a supine pose. Behind the bust of his wife, Huynh Thi Tai (1845-1920), which is in the rightmost roof area, is a burial of patterned marble. On Mrs. Huyen Si’s grave is a statue of her in a lying position. John Baotixita Le Phat Thanh and Anna Do Thi Thao, his son and daughter-in-law, are ultimately represented by two busts.