 St Teresa's Floor Plan.png)
Introduction
St. Teresa’s Church was completed and opened in 1932. It is an imitation of Romanesque architecture. It was firstly designed in a Chinese style by a renowned Dutch artist and architect Fr. Adelbert Gresnigt OSB of the Benedictines. His works were all over the United States, Brazil, Beijing Fu Jen Catholic University and Holy Spirit Seminary in Hong Kong. As he left China in 1932, his work in the building of St. Teresa’s Church was taken over by a Belgian architect, Mr. Gabriel Van Wylick , and it takes the feature nowadays. A bell tower is located at the left side of the front entrance. From a bird’s eye view, the church layout is a Latin Cross.Overview
hover background1. The Campanile
The Campanile on the east side is an iconic feature of the church. St. Teresa’s is the only Catholic Church that owes a Romanesque Revival architectural style campanile in HK. During WWII the church’s bronze bell and other gold ornaments were sold to raise money to help the needy. After the War, the bell was replaced. The chimes for the Angelus continued until the 1960s.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background
2. The Foundation Stone
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by Bishop H. Valtorta, Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong, on 23rd April 1932. He addressed that he could not adequately express his joy to lay the foundation stone of the church. It will meet the pressing need of Kowloon. The stone is located at the right bottom corner of the campanile.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover
background3. The Statue of St. Christopher
St. Christopher is the patron saint of travellers from the 3rd Century. The statue stands high in the corner of the church compound, overlooking the crowded roads. It serves as a beacon to the passing motorists and pedestrians. In the past on his feast day, a large number of car owners brought their cars to church for blessings.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background4. Holy Water Fonts
There are Holy Water fonts located at the main entrance, the entrances of Beltran Road and Waterloo Road. The Holy Water Fonts provide Holy Water for parishioners to dip and make the sign of the Cross before entering their seats. The action originated from the Sacrament of Baptism, symbolizes cleansing oneself before entering the House of God, and providing protection for us against evil.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background5. Stained Glass Windows
The pale yellow, green and white stained glass windows reflect St. Teresa’s theological thinking that befits her simplicity and dedication to God. Sun rays passing through the window panes provide a warm, loving and caring atmosphere. The palatial architecture created a solemn impression for parishioners to pray and rest.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background6. 14 Stations of the Cross
The 14 stations of the Cross depicted The Lord’s suffering and passion. Jesus said,” I am the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). Parishioners are reminded to carry their own cross in life and follow Christ.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background7. The Main Altar
The main altar is the first Roman style altar in Hong Kong, located at the centre of the church. That’s where Jesus celebrates the Eucharist with us during the Liturgy, symbolising His Presence. Christ is the celebrant, the offering and the altar.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background8. Lectern at the Main Altar
The lectern is the reading desk for God’s words inside the church. Messages and good news from God are passed to the people there. "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mt 4:4)
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background9. Statue of St Teresa
St. Teresa is the patron saint of the parish. She was born to a devout Catholic family and was admitted to the Carmelite Convent at the age of 15. She lived a humble, sacrificial, seclusive life, and did numerous small charitable works to live out her ‘Little Way’ as a young and chaste saint.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background10. Altar of Sacred Heart of Jesus
The apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret revealed the immense love of Christ, and disclosed to the rest of the world that people are still constantly hurting him. He warned the world to repent, do penance and love one another, so that his wounds will be healed.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background11. Image of Divine Mercy
The image has two rays coming out from Jesus’ chest, the white ray indicates water, symbolising Baptism, while the red ray stands for blood and sacrifice. The two rays represent different sacraments. Jesus wants people to understand his Mercy, and not be afraid to approach him.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background12. Altar of St. Joseph
St. Joseph is honoured as the Head of the Holy Family, the loving foster-father of Jesus, the most chaste spouse of Mary and the helper of God's salvation plan. He is patron saint of the Universal Church and Workers. His feast days are on the 19th March and 1st May.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background13. Our Lady of Perpetual Help
This icon was painted in the 13th Century in the Middle East. The background is gold, symbolising Heaven, where Jesus and Mary now reign in Glory. The face of Our Lady is grave, her eyes are looking at us, as if pleading us to avoid sin, which has caused her son to suffer and die.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background14. St. Agnes of Rome
St. Agnes lived between the 3rd and 4th Century, and was martyred in Rome at the age of 13. In the picture, she is holding a palm in her hand, a symbol of martyrdom. The lamb in her other arm represents purity.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background15. Statue of St. Jude
St. Jude is one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, he was preaching around Persia with St. Simon, both were killed while defending their faith. In this statue, he is holding an image of Jesus in his right hand and a club in his left. St. Jude is the Patron Saint of the Despair.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background16. Infant Jesus of Prague
The Infant Jesus of Prague statue originated from Spain. In the 16th century, the Spanish duchess took it to Bosnia and it passed on as a family heirloom. Eventually, the final successor decided to live a life of charity and poverty, and donated it to the Carmelites in Prague.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background17. The Crucifix
The mosaic Crucifix reminds parishioners of Christ’s suffering in His salvation of the human race.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background18. The Rear Altar
The rear altar is the venue for weekday mass celebrations, with the tabernacle placed at the centre. In 2007, there was a major renovation of the rear altar using rose petals as the main theme, to show the love of St. Teresa towards God and her enthusiasm in preaching.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background19. Lectern at the Rear Altar
To match the mosaic mural and the marble sculpture, the lectern is decorated with mosaic tiles in rose petals and tongues of fire, symbolising the Holy Spirit. When the scripture is being read, the fire of the Holy Spirit enkindles our hearts, makes us repent our sins and lead a life of Love.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background20. The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle commands the highest respect in the House of God. There is a carving of a mother pelican feeding its children, symbolizing Jesus, our Redeemer, who gave up His life for our redemption and the atonement that he made through His passion and death.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background21. The Marble Sculpture
The sculpture depicts St. Teresa kneeling in front of Our Lady holding the Infant Jesus, on a cloud with the cross in the background, symbolising Heaven. The piece of shroud signifies that Christ has risen. St. Teresa is sending roses down from Heaven for the mercy and grace for everyone.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background22. The Mosaic Mural
The mosiac mural behind the sculpture was rebuilt in 2007. Colourful clouds, showers of rose petals, little white flowers, green grass, brown earth, flowing water, purgatory, and hot flame of fire fill the entire picture. It shows St. Teresa, while in Heaven, is still interceding and praying for us.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background23. The Confessionals
Jesus gave the Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins, and invited us to repent and return to Jesus’ footpath. Together with the Anointing of the Sick, they make up the Sacraments of Healing. The confessionals are places for us to get closer to God, strengthen our mind, and fill our souls with grace.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background24. The Sacristy
The Sacristy is a place for sacristans to get prepared for mass liturgy and storage for all mass supplies. Sacristans will prepare all the mass utensils in the Sacristy. There is a stone plaque above the Holy Well for a memorial of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God. The Sacristy was rebuilt in 1950.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background25. Altar of St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He became a Franciscan at 25 and started preaching in France and Italy. He was known as the Living Bible and was honored as a Doctor of the Church. Devoted to helping the needy and criticizing heretics, he was also known as the Patron Saint of the Illiterate and the Poor, and of Lost Things. He died at the age of 36 and was canonized a year after his death.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background26. Statue of St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier was the first missionary who landed in China. He took up Missionary work in India, Malacca, Japan and other countries in Southeast Asia for ten years, converting more than one hundred thousand people. He died in Shangchuan Island, China. He is proclaimed as the Patron Saint of Foreign Missions.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background27. Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to a poor Indiana farmer - Juan Diego, in 1531, during which the apparition cured his uncle’s serious illness. She also left her beautiful image on his poncho that was made of cactus fibres. Seven years after the apparition, over 8 millions Mexican converted to Catholicism. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Latin America.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background28. Relic of St. Teresa
From 2012 onwards, the relics of St. Teresa was placed at the left corner of the Main Altar to spread out her deeds and accomplishments through her simple life.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background29. Relics of St. Louis and St. Zelie Guerin Martin
They lead their lives according to God’s will and guided St. Teresa to walk through a life of sanctification, by providing her an ideal environment and setting an example of Christian values. They are the first couple to be canonized at the same time in Church history. Parishioners can take a look at the relic, meditate on their lives and imitate the lifestyle of the saints.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background30. Altar of Our Lady of Fatima
In 1917, The Blessed Virgin appeared six times to three little shepherds in Fatima, Portugal from 13th May. Her messages to them were to pray for peace, do penance, and to avert God’s wrath from the World. When St. Teresa’s Church was built, the statue came from the first batch shipped out from Portugal.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background31. Choir Loft and Pipe Organ
The two-manual tracker organ, built by William Charlton Blackett, was located at the choir loft at the back of the church in 1934. It is the only organ with a complete structure among Catholic churches in Hong Kong.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background32. The Aisles
The church is notable by its Corinthian columns that separate the aisle from the nave, with semi-circular arch between two adjacent columns. Fourteen Stations of the Cross can be found along the left and right aisles which are for the faithful to say prayer.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background33. The Donors Plaque
The donor plaques recorded main donors who contributed to building of the Church. Along with names of several prominent local Portuguese, Benito Mussolini was listed alongside. Modern research shows Mussolini's son-in-law Count Galeazzo Ciano donated to the church in his name, showing links that existed between Italy and Hong Kong in the early 1930s.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background34. Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is a colourful mosaic wall-art designed by renowned artist Francisco Borboa. It was renovated from a fishpond to a garden in 2014. The Grotto was to commemorate the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette in 1858, Lourdes, France.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour
hover background35. The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
The Adoration Chapel location is originally the parish conference room. Pieces of marble art on the wall were used to bring out the themes of sky, ocean and land. This theme of beautiful nature created by God help us meditate on the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love.
Click here to enter 360° Virtual Tour