The Basque Old Church is located in the stone structure of Sanmin Village in the Fuxing District of Taoyuan City, carrying rich cultural and historical significance. In terms of architectural design, the Basque Old Church adopts the style of 19th-century Scottish Presbyterian churches, constructed using locally sourced Bat Cave stones. Its unique entrance features overlapping square and circular elements, symbolizing a key to heaven. The roof is topped with a cross handcrafted by Pastor Huang Rongquan, combining reinforced concrete techniques to create an exquisite visual effect.
The Basque Old Church chose hand-chiseled stone blocks as its building material, which posed structural challenges due to the irregular shape of the stones. Therefore, Pastor Huang designed a double-layer stone wall solution and reinforced it with cement and steel. This construction method not only provides the necessary structural stability but also enhances the visual appeal, making it one of the distinctive features of the local attractions.
The historical background of the church traces back to the mid-20th century, when, through the efforts of American missionary Pastor Sun Yage, the Basque church became the focal point for the evangelization of the Atayal women. Since the 36th year of the Republic of China, Pastor Sun preached in Jiao Banshan and had a profound impact on the religious beliefs and cultural development of the Atayal people. During the construction process, members of the Basque tribe actively participated, with each stone and gravel transported through cooperation among local tribespeople, reflecting the spirit of unity in a challenging environment.
Currently, hydrangeas are gradually being arranged around the Basque Old Church, and during the annual Taoyuan Hydrangea Festival, these flowers create a vivid contrast with the solemn stone structure, attracting numerous visitors. Furthermore, as a center of faith for the Atayal people, the Basque Old Church showcases the fusion of indigenous culture and Christian belief, preserving the local traditions and architectural artistry, making it a must-visit cultural landmark.
