Former Nokubi Church
| A heritage site born from the powerful prayers of only seventeen devoted households. |
| The story of this church is deeply tied to the 17 hidden Christian families who endured on the island under harsh conditions, preserving their faith in isolation. Today, even as the island has become nearly uninhabited, the church continues to stand on its small hilltop, watching over the empty village as a quiet symbol of prayer and resilience. Completed in 1908, this was the first brick church ever built in Japan, designed and constructed by master church architect Yosuke Tetsukawa. Created during the pivotal transition from wooden to brick church construction, it has retained its original form and is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished church buildings in the country. After the village was abandoned and the church began to deteriorate, Ojika Town invested significant resources in 1985 to fully restore the building as a treasured cultural asset. Thanks to that effort, the church remains beautifully preserved in its present state today. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |