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
Sitting back off from a busy Xujiahui street, the St. Ignatius Cathedral will be hosting their Easter celebrations at 120 Puxi Lu, near Caoxi Bei Lu in Xuhui District, due to ongoing refurbishment work at the original cathedral. English services are to be held on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, covering all the bases. For more information click here (however their website is all in Chinese).
Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 8.30pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 7pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 9.30pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 12pm. St. Ignatius Cathedral .
Hengshan Community Church (Protestant)
The second church in our guide to reside in Xuhui is the walled and scenic Hengshan Community Church. The picturesque Church will be providing the ideal opportunity to both attend services in English or Chinese.
Sun Mar 27, English services: 2pm, 4pm. Chinese services: 6.30am, 7.30am, 7pm. Hengshan Community Church.
St. Peter's Catholic Church
St. Peter's Catholic Church will also be holding a series of Easter services over the course of the week starting with the innocuous Holy Thursday and running through until the main event, Easter Sunday. The Church has yet to declare which language the services will so be sure to ring ahead – 6467 8080 – before attending to avoid any possible disappointment, confusions or language barriers.
Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 6.30pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 3pm 5.30pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 6.30pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 7am, 9am. St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Hong En Church (Abundant Grace International Fellowship)
The non-demonical Abundant Grace International Fellowship (AGIF) out in Pudong will be offering an action packed day of family fun this Easter involving: an egg hunt, games and crafts after which the main service will get underway at 5pm.
Sun Mar 27, 3.30pm-6.30pm, Easter Mass held at 5pm. Regular Service held every Sunday, 3pm, 6pm. Abundant Grace International Fellowship.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus (SHJ) Church
Providing regular Catholic mass, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (SHJ) will be openly welcoming worshippers for Easter mass. The morning of Easter Sunday is set to host an egg hunt for children while coffee and mini cookies, brewed onsite by Zoo Coffee, will be available for the adults. If that wasn't enough each family will be given a 'special gift'.
Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 7.30-8.30pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 7.30-8.30pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 9.30pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 10.30am. Regular English Services held every Saturday 5pm, every Sunday 10.30am. The Sacred Heart of Jesus (SHJ) Church.
Shanghai Grace Church
One of the most central locations featured in this Easter guide rests solemnly in the Jing'an area. The Church is offering a presentation of linguist excellence providing its services in Chinese with simultaneous translation into English.
Chinese services: Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 2pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 9am. Chinese and English service: Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 9am. Shanghai Grace Church.
St. Francis Xavier's Church (Dong Jia Du Lu Catholic Church)
The St. Francis Xavier's Church will be open throughout Holy week with a number of services. This church kicked things off starting on Sunday, March 20, marking Palm Sunday. They will be continuing their services on Holy Thursday up until Easter Sunday.
Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 7pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 6pm, 7pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 5pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 11am. The St. Francis Xavier's Church.
Moore Memorial Church
Otherwise known as Mu'en Church, the Moore Memorial Church is situated just off of People's Square. This Easter mass will be delivered periodically on Easter Sunday and exclusively in Chinese.
Sun Mar 27, 7.30am, 10am, 2pm, 7pm. Moore Memorial Church.
St. Joseph's Church
Located roughly 10 minutes from Yu Gardens, St. Joseph's is offering a Latin service alongside its regular Chinese services. But who doesn’t need a good old excuse to brush up their Latin? “Gloria Patri, et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principium, et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen”
Chinese services: Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 2pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 2pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 2pm-3.30pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 7am-7.45am. Latin service Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 9am-10.30am. St. Joseph's Church.
Sheshan Marian Basilica
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.
Chinese services: Holy Thursday: Thurs Mar 24, 3pm. Good Friday: Fri Mar 25, 3pm. Holy Saturday: Sat Mar 26, 6.30pm. Easter Sunday: Sun Mar 27, 8am. Sheshan Marian Basilica.
