Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Wanchin

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, located in Wanchin, Pingtung County, Taiwan, is a significant Roman Catholic Minor Basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception. It holds the historical distinction of being the first church in Taiwan to be elevated to the status of a basilica.

History and Establishment

The origins of the basilica trace back to May 1863, when Catholic priest Father Fernando Sainz, affiliated with the Dominican Order, established a parish church. Initially constructed as a simple mud church, it faced significant destruction on October 13, 1865, due to an earthquake. Following this event, the church was rebuilt on a larger scale, with its inauguration and completion taking place on December 8, 1870.

Elevation and National Recognition

In the latter half of the 20th century, the church underwent renovations during the 1950s and 1960s, carried out by various missionaries. A pivotal moment in its history occurred on July 20, 1984, when Pope John Paul II conferred upon it the title of basilica. This papal decree marked the church as the first basilica in Taiwan. Further solidifying its importance, the Holy Office designated it as a national shrine in 1985.

Architectural Features and Later Developments

The current edifice of the basilica is characterized by its Spanish fortress architecture. The grounds also accommodate the Dominican priory of the Immaculate Conception, a visitor center, and nearby convents for Dominican cloistered nuns and missionary sisters. The basilica experienced an act of vandalism on August 3, 2016, when a wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the building was set on fire by an individual with mental illness.