Sakitsu Church
| A stunning Gothic-style UNESCO World Heritage site in Amakusa, uniquely built over the site of the efumi (image-trampling) trials to symbolize the triumph of faith. |
| Sakitsu Church is a centerpiece of the UNESCO World Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”. Located in a quiet fishing village in Amakusa, this church is an architectural and historical marvel. While the current structure was completed in 1934, its roots go back to the 1880s when missionaries first began re-establishing contact with the local Hidden Christian community. The church was designed and built by the legendary architect Yosuke Tetsukawa, often called the “Father of Church Architecture” in Japan. It is world-renowned for its “Gothic on the Sea” aesthetic. Inside, the floor is covered in tatami mats, a rare feature that reflects how the local community integrated their cultural lifestyle with their Catholic practice. Most poignantly, the church was built on the site of the former village headman’s residence. It is deliberately positioned so that the main altar stands on the exact spot where the efumi (image-trampling) rituals were once conducted. By placing the holiest part of the church where believers were once forced to desecrate their faith, the building serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual victory and healing. |
