Julong is a newly developed town located just outside the city of Quanzhou, with a population of seven million. Since its establishment, the population has steadily grown, attracting people from across the country. Today, it serves as home to a minority Protestant community. For many years, they gathered in front of a small store. As attendance grew, the community decided to build a church with a capacity of 1,000 worshippers. Situated at the foot of a lush green mountain, this church has the potential to become a landmark for the entire town.
The congregation is made up of believers from various denominations, creating complex expectations. This young community faces uncertainty regarding rituals and symbolic traditions. They hope the new sanctuary will bridge these differences and foster unity. Broadly speaking, the congregation aims to create a symbol of inclusiveness and a fresh start. In this new city, both Christians and non-Christians have experienced being far from their hometowns and have had to build new connections. The project encompasses not only the sanctuary but also a series of secular community spaces.
Addressing a universal dilemma, the team sought prototype themes to guide architectural decisions. An elder quoted the biblical phrase: “You are Peter, and I will build my church on this rock.” His wife added, “Here in Julong, we are all outsiders. We hope to become an ark for those outsiders, a place of refuge.”
Functional and Iconic Design. The church symbolizes an ark—floating in the world yet firmly rooted in the cornerstone of faith—an ancient concept. Inspired by this image, the design features two main parts: the lower section is clad in granite, resembling terraced rock formations. It is designed with flexible divisions to accommodate secular uses. Above, the nave is adorned with GRC panels, evoking an abstract ark shape. This form avoids explicit symbolism, instead offering a subtle narrative expression.
Performance and Ritual. The design integrates both physical and spiritual experiences. Like a pilgrimage, worshippers ascend the terraced steps to participate in the service. At the summit, they are embraced by the sky—a medieval architectural element marking the church’s sanctuary and symbolizing entry into the ark’s interior. Contrary to the metaphor, the sanctuary itself is humble: upon entering, worshippers are fully exposed to the surrounding mountains. Nature becomes part of the liturgy, reflecting the original gathering of the congregation before denominational divides—echoing Christ’s sermon on the mount.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan View
△ Section Diagram
Analysis Chart for Each Level
Project Information
Architect: OINCE • Dirk U. Moench
Area: 3,000 m²
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Shikai/Inche
Lead Architect: Dr.-Ing. Dirk U. Moench
Engineering Consultant: Fujian Provincial Institute of Architectural Design and Research
Location: Quanzhou
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