Matsugamine Catholic Church Utsunomiya
Matsugamine Catholic Church in Utsunomiya, Tochihi was designed by the Swiss architect Max Hinder and completed using Oya stone in 1932.
Places of Worship: Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya 松が峰教会
Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture
Close to the Utsunomiya Castle ruins in Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture is the Matsugamine Catholic Church, in service since 1932.
History
The church was designed by Swiss architect Max Hinder (1887-1963), who was also responsible for several buildings in Japan including parts of Sophia University (Jochi) in Tokyo and Christ the King Cathedral in Niigata. It was constructed by Miyauchi Hatsutaro.
The church is at once a building dedicated to ancient European architectural styles with its Romanesque towers, while on the other hand, it is a thorough manifestation of the qualities of a very unique Utsunomiya product - Oya Stone.
Oya Stone is a volcanic stone only found in Oya Valley, a few kilometers to the west of Utsunomiya. Oya Stone is known to have a warm texture and to be easy to carve and thus has been employed for a wide range of uses.
The church is said to be the largest structure built from the stone still standing.
When visiting Matsugamine Church, don't miss the frog-shaped gargoyle on the left side of the building.
Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya with the pipe organ visible at the altar
Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya
The interior lighting has a very soft feel thanks to the use of the local stone.
The church is illuminated in the evening from sunset until 8.30 pm.
Access - how to get to Matsugamine Catholic Church
Matsugamine Catholic Church
1-1-5 Matsugamine
Utsunomiya
Tochigi 320-0807
Tel: 028 635 0405
The church is a five minute walk from Tobu-Utsunomiya Station and the entertainment district around Orion Shopping Street.
Services are held in Japanese at 10 am every Sunday, in English on the first and third Sundays at 2 pm and in Portuguese on the first Sunday at 4 pm.
Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya
Matsugamine Catholic Church, Utsunomiya
