Where I Worship

An invitation to teach a class at Saint Michaels was the reason I came to Wuhan, China. It was a tremendous experience and has developed a closeness between me and its members. Attending there every Sunday for a period of 24 months and going up front to video the choir each morning, makes me a very familiar face.

This is a Three Self Patriotic Movement church, which is controlled by the government. This control affects these churches in various ways. One of the ways this church is affected relates to how people can enter the sanctuary. You would expect to enter through the front door, but not here. You must enter through a gate into a courtyard and then into the side entrance. The gate is located down the street from where the front entrance would be.

From the picture you don’t realize this is now the main entrance to the church. Entering through the gate into the courtyard, you get a view of the side of the church.

To enter the sanctuary you need to climb the narrow stairs to the second floor. This is some experience when it is raining and water is running off the roof above or it just snowed. You should see some of the elderly go up and down the stairs. You don’t want to be behind them and be in any kind of hurry.

You enter the sanctuary between the platform and the first row of benches.

The original front entrance was closed off and made to blend in with the small businesses on both sides.

Walking by the front door, one would not realize there was actually a church there and that was the intent. It is so sad to see how the front and side are falling into disrepair.

This street has been designated for development. All of the tenants along a half mile stretch of road on the church side must leave as all the buildings are to be torn down to make room for modern development.

It was decided to show an example of religious freedom and spare the church. Since this is to become a modern section of the city, the front entrance to the church would have to be restored and reopened. People passing by will clearly know they are passing a church and then maybe more will feel free to come in and see what is happening.