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
Image via @iceinthefire/Dianping
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 Masses: 6.30pm Chinese; 8pm English; 10.30pm Korean
Christmas Day Masses: 9am, 7.30pm Chinese; 11am English
See listing for St. Peter’s here.
St. Joseph’s Church
Image via @rm041603b0/Dianping
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 Masses: 3.30pm English, 7pm English
Christmas Day Masses: 7am Chinese; 9am Latin; 11am English; 12.30pm Spanish
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
Christmas Day service: 10.30am Chinese
See listing for SHJ here.
St. Ignatius Cathedral (Xujiahui Cathedral)
Image via zjb_beibei/Dianping
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; 10pm English
Christmas Day services: 6pm, 7pm Chinese; midday English
See listing for St. Ignatius here.
St. Michael’s Church
Image via 莫爾斯/Dianping
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 Masses: 6pm Chinese; 9.30pm French
Christmas Day Masses: 7am, 7pm Chinese; 11am French
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 Evensong: 7pm Chinese
Christmas Evensong: 7pm Chinese
See listing for SCF here.
[Cover image via Unsplash]
Find festive afternoon tea and hampers here.
Find the perfect Christmas brunches and dinners here.
We have also prepared a list of useful Mandarin phrases for the Christmas season here.
