Catholic Sumoto Church

Catholic Sumoto Church stands as the only Catholic church on Awaji Island, offering a place of quiet reflection within the island’s central city. The history of Sumoto Church reflects the gradual establishment and growth of Catholic faith on Awaji Island. Missionary activity began in 1920, marking the earliest efforts to introduce Christianity to the region. Under the guidance of both Japanese clergy and French missionaries, the number of believers steadily increased over time.

A decisive step came in 1953, when Father Henri Unterwald of the Paris Foreign Missions Society was officially assigned to Sumoto. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, a private residence was adapted into a provisional chapel and formally recognized as a parish, providing the community with its first dedicated place of worship.

As the congregation expanded, a proper church building was eventually established, becoming the spiritual center for Catholics on the island. It served the faithful for decades, supporting religious life in a region where Christianity remained a minority tradition.

In 2015, the aging structure was dismantled to make way for a new church. The current building was completed in 2016, continuing the legacy of nearly a century of faith while offering a renewed and contemporary space for worship.