This year, Easter falls on April 21. While the Easter Bunny is putting in the few last minute preparations for the big day, we've brought you a list of some of the best places to say the Lord's Prayer, celebrate the resurrection of Christ and enjoy Easter services here in Shanghai.
Disclaimer: Consider bringing your passports, due to regulations some congregations require it for entry.
St. Ignatius Cathedral (Xujiahui Cathedral)
Image via amrin/Dianping
Sitting back off from a busy Xujiahui street is the St. Ignatius Cathedral. 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.
Thursday: English service, 8.30pm. Chinese service, 6pm.
Friday: English service, 7pm. Chinese service, 2pm.
Saturday: English service. 9.30pm. Chinese service, 6pm.
Easter Sunday: English service, noon. Chinese service, 6am, 7.30am, 10am, 6pm.
See listing for St. Ignatius here.
St. Peter's Catholic Church
Image via 釋慧澄arboleda9/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.
Thursday: English service, 8pm.
Friday: English service, 7.30pm.
Saturday: English service. 9pm.
Easter Sunday: English service, 11am.
See listing for St. Peter's here.
St. Joseph's Church
Image via 巧克力布朗尼~/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.
Thursday: Chinese service, 2pm.
Friday: Chinese service, 2pm.
Saturday: Chinese service, 6pm.
Easter Sunday: Chinese service, 7am, 9am.
See listing for St. Joseph's here.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (SHJ)
Image via 吴桐9670/Dianping
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.
Thursday: English service, 7.30pm. Chinese service, 2pm.
Friday: English service, 7pm. Chinese service, 2pm.
Saturday: English service. 9.30pm. Chinese service, 7pm.
Easter Sunday: English service, 10.30am. Chinese service, 8am.
See listing for SHJ here.
St. Michael's Church
Image via 飞天猪猪侠/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.
Thursday: French service, 8pm. Chinese service, 6pm.
Friday: French service, 8pm. Chinese service, 6pm.
Saturday: French service. 9.30pm. Chinese service, 6pm.
Easter Sunday: French service, 11am. Chinese service, 8.30am.
See listing for St. Michael's here.
Sheshan Marian Basilica
Image via reaper951/Dianping
Sitting a little further out of the city at Sheshan on line 9 and resting atop Sheshan West Hill, the Sheshan Marian Basilica offers fantastic views of the surrounding area. They will be offering services on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Thursday: Chinese service, 3pm.
Friday: Chinese service, 3pm.
Saturday: Chinese service, 4.30pm.
Easter Sunday: Chinese service, 8am.
See listing for Sheshan Marian Basilica here.
Hong En Church
Image via Doris圈圈/Ctrip
Hong En Chuch didn't come into being until 2005. Located in Pudong, this newly-built church took on a modern and simplified style. Built with red blocks and decorated with colorful glasses, this year the church will hold Easter service on Sunday along with a series of family-friendly activites inlcuding music, games and egg hunt.
Easter Sunday: English service, 3pm.
See listing for Hong En Church here.
Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF)
Image via chefyoung叔/Dianping
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.
Easter Sunday: English service, 2pm, 4pm. Chinese service, 7am, 10am, 7pm.
See listing for SCF here.
Moore Memorial Church
Image via yesan1978/Dianping
Otherwise known as Mu'en Church, the Moore Memorial Church is situated just off of People's Square, which is easily reachable via Metro Line 1, 2 and 8. This Easter mass will be delivered periodically on Easter Sunday and exclusively in Chinese.
Easter Sunday: Chinese service, 7.30am, 10am, 2pm, 7pm.
See listing for Moore Memorial Church here.
[Cover image via Pexels]
