Located in Nguyen Hue street, Phu Nhuan ward, Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province, Our Lady of Perpetual Help church commonly known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer by Hue locals. In fact, this refers to a religious congregation founded behind the church in 1925. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church was built from 1959 to 1962.
At the invitation of the Holy See, three Canadian missionaries arrived at Hue and agreed with bishop Eugene Marie Allys to found Vietnam Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The Feast of Immaculate Conception (December 28th, 1925) was chosen as the establishment date of the monastic community. In 1928, the monastic community had the church constructed at the triangle plot of land located at the junction of Nguyen Hue street and Nguyen Khuyen street today. In 1954, Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish was established. In January 1959, the church designed by Mr. Nguyen My Loc, an architect graduated in Paris, France was officially constructed by the parish.
The triangle-shaped plot of land is 70m long and about 15 to 37m wide. A Jesus statue was placed at the top of the plot of land. There is a cave where Christ Jesus was born behind the statue.
Walking across a large yard, visitors reach a church which was highly appreciated in fine art. Hue traditional architecture was simplified and skillfully shown in this structure. The distance from the ground to the highest roof is 32m. At the middle of the construction locates a three-story-bell tower which is 53m high. Four large bronze bells and a cross are placed on this bell tower. Taking the stair leading to the bell tower, visitors may observe the entire city.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (photo: internet)
The sided corridor is 26m long and 4,2m wide. The church has wide doors and no bulkhead, which is its distinctive feature. When these doors are opened, people standing outside feel like being inside the church. The space inside the majestic church is very large. Sheets of large colorful glass on the walls not only provide natural light, but also make the space inside sparkling. The sanctuary is 8,5m long. There are also two small altars and a large altar (3.60m x 1,20m x 0,29m) made from Ngu Hanh Son mountain.
The monastery house behind makes the church even more solemn. However, it is still closed to locals and parishioners thanks to its favorable position.
Solemn village halls, poetic landscapes, churches which possesses both western and national cultural features stay in harmony and bring Hue a distinctive feature.