Here for the holidays and looking to get in your good graces? Find our list of services below for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Constructed in 1933, St. Peter’s Catholic Church was originally exclusive to teachers and students of Aurora University. Covering an area of 3,929 square meters, the church took on Byzantine style. In recent years, as Aurora University merged with other universities, the church has opened to the public and has become a main church of the diocese. It can accommodate approximately 1,000 worshippers.
Christmas Eve services: 4.30pm Indonesian service (Rm 113), 6.30pm Chinese service, 8.30pm English service, 10.30pm Korean service
Christmas Day services: 8am and 7pm Chinese service, 11am English service
Mother of God services: 11am English service, 2pm Korean service
See listing for St. Peter’s here
St. Joseph’s Church
As one of the oldest churches in Shanghai, St. Joseph’s Church was built in 1861. Taking on Late Roman Gothic style, the church was the tallest building at that time. In 1865, the church sat up its own mission school. Although the school was taken over by Shanghai Municipal Peoples Government in 1953, its location never changed, which explains why there is an elementary school next to the church.
Christmas Eve services: 3.30pm English service, 9pm Spanish service
Christmas Day services: 11am English service, 12.30pm Spanish service
Mother of God service: 11am English service
See listing for St. Joseph’s here
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (SHJ)
The foundation of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church dates back to 1744. After several expansions over the years, it has become one of the biggest churches in Pudong. A birds-eye view of the church looks just like a Latin cross. Now it can accommodate over 1,000 worshippers at the same time.
Christmas Eve service: 9pm English service
Christmas Day service: 10.30am English service
Mother of God service: 5pm English service
See listing for SHJ here
St. Ignatius Cathedral (Xujiahui Cathedral)
After more than two years’ renovation, St. Ignatius Cathedral has finally reopened to the public. Built between 1906 and 1910, the cathedral has a history of more than 100 years. As Shanghai’s largest church, it can accommodate approximately 2,500 worshippers. Located in Xujiahui, you can easily get there through Metro Line 1, 9 & 11.
Christmas Eve services: 5pm & 7pm & 8.30pm Chinese service, 10pm English service
Christmas Day services: 10am German service (Chapel at Diocesan Hdqtrs.), 12:00 noon English service, 5pm & 7pm & 8.30pm Chinese service
Mother of God services: 12:00 noon English service, 5pm & 7pm & 8.30pm Chinese service
See listing for St. Ignatius here
St. Michael’s Church
Set up in 1930, St. Michael’s Church has a history of nearly 90 years. Over the years, the location of the church has been altered several times due to various reasons. The last relocation happened on September 29 of 2011, which is also the Feast of Saint Michael. St. Michael’s Church offers French services, which is rare in Shanghai.
Christmas Eve service: 9.30pm French service
Christmas Day service: 11am French service
See listing for St. Michael’s here
Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF)
Lying on the serene Hengshan Road, Shanghai Community Church earns its fame by its graceful Christian music. Built in 1925, the church is able to accommodate over 700 people. A birds-eye view of the church looks just like an “L”. The biggest feature of the church is that, no matter where you come from, which sect you belong, you are welcome to celebrate the services here.
Christmas Eve service: 2pm & 4pm English service
Christmas Day service: 11am-12 noon English service
See listing for SCF here
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Shanghai
Don’t get shocked by this one. Since both St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Mission Church are closed and unavailable to the public, the services are celebrated at the Russian Consulate. Lying by The Bund in Shanghai, it has been put into service since its establishment in 1896. On Christmas Eve, all foreign passport holders are welcome to have Russian Orthodox services in Slavonic.
Christmas Eve service: Slavonic service
See listing for Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Shanghai here
