If you have the opportunity to travel from Quang Binh to Dong Hoi city, you should visit the monument of Tam Toa church to learn the uniqueness of the church and feel the picture of the church being destroyed through fierce war days. that Quang Binh people still keep. The church is where the famous poet Han Mac Tu was baptized in 1912 with the holy name François Nguyen Trong Tri.
Old Tam Toa Church
Once the only Catholic church in Dong Hoi during the French colonial period, Tam Toa Church was so badly damaged by the war that only a bell tower was left with bullet holes. Now it has become a relic of war.
Today’s Tam Toa Church
The relics of Tam Toa church are being carefully protected in the grounds of the former church, next to Nhat Le river park, and near the intersection of four streets Nguyen Du, Nguyen Duc Canh, Han Mac Tu, Quach Xuan Ky, in Dong Hai ward, Dong Hoi city.
Church next to Nhat Le river park
Tam Toa parish was formed quite early compared to other regions in Quang Binh province and has gone through many names, starting with Dong Hai parish, also known as Ho Luy. By about 1774, it was called Sao Muon parish, in 1886, Mud flute moved to Dong Hoi, built a church on the bank of Nhat Le river and established a parish with the new name Tam Toa. This is where the tower of the old Tam Toa church now stands.
Tam Toa Church viewed from above
Tam Toa Church was built in 1886, then belonging to Vinh diocese, and in 1940 was renovated and renovated in both architecture and decoration. The church has Gothic architecture prevalent in Europe in the 19th century with a rather massive scale.
Tam Toa Church was built in 1886
There are documents that the architecture of Tam Toa church is a work of Portuguese architecture. At the same time, this is also the most beautiful and unique architectural work of Vietnam at that time.
It was once the most beautiful and unique architectural work of Vietnam during the colonial period
In 1886, Father Clause Bonin, also known as Co Ninh, began to build Tam Toa church, serving 1,200 parishioners. In 1940, priest René Morineau, also known as Co Trung, rebuilt and repaired Tam Toa church to be more spacious and complete.
The church is where the famous poet Han Mac Tu was baptized in 1912
After the Geneva Agreement in 1954, most of the parishioners migrated to the South, leaving only a few parishioners to live at home, so the church was almost unused. At the end of 1964-1965, Tam Toa church was repeatedly hit by bombs by the US Air Force.
In February 1965, the entire church was destroyed by bombs, leaving only the bell tower
In February 1965, the entire church was destroyed by bombs, leaving only the bell tower more than ten meters high in the front and a brick pillar on the stone foundation in the back. Today, the church’s bell tower becomes a war remnant to serve research, history and education for future generations. The ruined walls and bullet holes in the church bell tower are a haunting reminder of the country’s smoky days.
The church’s bell tower became a war remnant
Coming here, visitors will feel regret and recovery with an architectural work of great value, but carrying a sad and painful story. Although it is a ruin, Tam Toa church has many times of conflict between rebuilding and keeping it intact. But Quang Binh province still decided to keep the bell tower as a war memento. Because this place has been associated with the people of Quang Binh and the ups and downs of the land here.
Beautiful photo of Tam Toa Church at dawn
Currently, Tam Toa parishioners together with the parish priest have started the construction of a new church at Thong Nhat Street, Nam Ly Ward, City. Dong Hoi. The building is 43m long, 16m wide and 35m high twin towers, designed in Gothic architecture, including 2 floors: The upper floor is for worship, and the lower floor is for community activities of the parish.
Source: Collected internet.