The wooden church in Kontum, over a century old, stands majestically with its historic charm.

With an architectural style made of wood similar to the homes of the indigenous people of the Central Highlands, the over 100-year-old wooden church in Kontum is a stunning historical landmark amidst the mountain town.

The over 100-year-old wooden church in Kontum amidst the mountain town.

The Kontum Wooden Church (officially known as the Kontum Cathedral) is a structure with more than 100 years of history. Since the mid-19th century, Christianity began to spread to the Central Highlands via the 'Salt, ceramics, and gong' route, a 120km pathway from Quang Ngai to Kon Tum. At that time, the churches were mostly small, built with wood, bamboo, rattan, and leaves... It wasn't until the number of followers grew that larger churches began to be constructed.

According to historical records, the wooden church's construction was initiated by Father Joseph Décrouille in 1913. It was completed by early 1918 after many challenges, especially amidst World War I. Preparations for the project had already taken three years, involving skilled carpenters who ventured deep into the forest to gather wood, later using elephants to transport it. Additional skilled workers were brought in from Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh.

The primary material used in the church's construction was the rare red wood known as 'cà chít' (red sến), abundant in the Central Highlands forests. Every structural element, from columns and beams to the floors, was crafted from this wood. Everything was joined together using traditional woodcraft techniques, with the ceilings, walls, and partitions covered with a mixture of earth and straw, reminiscent of the traditional building style of Central Vietnam.

Architecture of the Wooden Church

The Kontum Wooden Church is designed in a Romanesque architectural style, blending with the traditional stilt house design of the Ba Na people. This is a remarkable fusion of Western culture and the distinct identity of the Central Highlands. From the exterior, the structure stands as an imposing, towering figure with a deep, dark hue. The church's facade features a 24-meter tall, four-story bell tower in the center, offering a balanced and harmonious look. The two wide, long wings are supported firmly by a row of round wooden columns, with high, sloping roofs that create a grand appearance.

Inside the church, a lofty, arched ceiling stretches high, filling the space with natural light. Tall columns, perched on stone pedestals, rise up to support the main dome. Notably, the wooden trusses are arched and seamlessly connect with small columns, creating a smooth flow. On either side, natural light filters through colorful stained-glass windows, designed in the vitraux style, radiating a brilliant, shimmering effect.

From the rows of pews, the altar is seen as a magnificent, arch-shaped stage. Every detail of the Kontum Wooden Church is exquisitely crafted. A large round stained-glass painting is placed at the center, opposite the altar, serving both as a source of light and a decorative symbol of the sun. As the light reflects off the glass, the image comes to life, depicting scenes from the ancient lives of the Central Highlands people, including village scenes, longhouses, elephants pulling logs, rivers, and vast forests.

Address: 13 Nguyen Hue, Thong Nhat Ward, Kon Tum City.

According to Mytour.vn

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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide