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Mang Lang Church - The Oldest Church in Vietnam
Situated 35km north of Tuy Hoa city, in Tuy An district, Phu Yen province, Mang Lang Church was constructed in 1892. The church's exterior carries shades of grayish-green since its construction. Despite various paint changes over the years, the church's walls eventually returned to their original color, a distinctive feature fitting its architectural style.
Designed by a French architect, Mang Lang Church exhibits the distinctive characteristics of Gothic architecture, a style dating back 1200 years in Europe. The domestic architectural community highly praises the unique blend of European cultural architecture and Vietnamese-inspired decorations in Mang Lang Church. Despite being over 120 years old, even the tiniest details remain virtually intact.
The reason behind the church's name, Mang Lang, is rooted in the abundant surrounding forests, particularly the Mang Lang tree. Although this tree is no longer present, the church retains its name. Currently, the church preserves a round wooden table made from the wood of this tree, with a diameter of up to 1.7m.
Entrance to the 'Traditional Room' of Mang Lang Church
Within the church's courtyard, an artificial hill was erected in 2006. Designed like a cave, it houses the 'Traditional Room' of Mang Lang Church. The design of this traditional room does not disrupt the scenic view of the church grounds. Inside the cave are images depicting the life of Saint Andrew Phu Yen, born in 1625 and passed away in 1644 at the age of 19. He was a missionary who died for his faith, the first to be canonized among the 117 martyrs worldwide. Additionally, the traditional room features images of Father Dac Lo - Alexandre de Rhodes, credited with introducing the Vietnamese Romanized script.
Interior Landscape of the 'Traditional Room'
Within the prayer grounds of Saint Andrew, a document is elegantly displayed. It is the first Vietnamese Romanized script book, the 'Eight-Day Sermon' by Father Dac Lo - the individual credited with introducing the Vietnamese Romanized script. The book is kept in a special glass case, printed in 1651 in Rome, Italy, with Latin on the left and Vietnamese on the right.
The First Vietnamese Romanized Script Book
With its architectural significance and role in the spiritual life of the local people, Mang Lang Church is mentioned when discussing structures integral to the development of Phu Yen. Today, Mang Lang Church is not only a cultural hub for the locals but also a significant attraction for tourists visiting Phu Yen.
Image Source: Online
Pham Minh
