Unzen Church

Unzen Catholic Church stands as a solemn monument to the endurance of the human spirit in a landscape of dramatic natural beauty and historical tragedy. Unlike many of the churches on the Goto Islands which were built as centers for “Hidden” communities, this church was completed in 1981 to specifically honor the Martyrs of Unzen. The site is a place of deep prayer, situated near the volcanic springs where early Christians were subjected to extreme trials during the early 17th-century persecutions.

The church is dedicated to Antonio Ishida, a Shimabara-born priest who fearlessly ministered to the faithful in secret after the 1614 ban. After his capture, he was brought to the “Unzen Hell” (Unzen Jigoku) springs, where he endured horrific torture intended to force him to renounce his faith. Remaining steadfast, he was eventually moved to Nagasaki and martyred at Nishizaka. Today, the church serves as a “living memorial”, inviting visitors to reflect on the legacy of these martyrs within the quiet, mist-covered mountains of the Unzen-Amakusa National Park.