Tabira Church

In 1914, the Japanese priest Nakata Tokichi arrived in the parish. To replace the humble prayer house, he made tremendous efforts to raise funds for a formal church.

Tetsukawa Yosuke designed the brick building, and the parishioners cooperated in the construction project, gathering a large number of seashells and burning them into lime powder. The site of the processing ground still remains in front of the church.

Construction was finally completed under Tetsukawa’s supervision in 1918. The brick church was the architect’s last in a long series of ecclesiastical works.

Along with Imamura Church in Fukuoka, it is called one of architect Tetsukawa Yosuke’s greatest masterpieces.

Lime Kiln.
the parishioners cooperated in the construction project, gathering a large number of seashells and burning them into lime powder.

The site of the processing ground still remains in front of the church.

Tabira Church Cemetery.
The cemetery is located north of the church.

Tabira Church Facade.
Tabira Church has a distinctive feature, namely a large three-story central tower protruding from the front. The third story is comprised of an octagonal domed belfry with a cross on top.