During the winter closure at the end of the year, I left the hotel early in the morning to see just the exterior 😍
The small, white church looked absolutely stunning against the powder snow.
It seems they're not using the entire church building, but only a part of it, which made me curious about what's happening with the Russian Orthodox church behind it. The Lourdes grotto and the statue of Mary on the grounds are still there, and I thought to myself, "I definitely need to come back in the summer!" 🥹
Nagasaki, with its many small Catholic churches on its sparsely populated islands, could benefit from learning this approach! I muttered to myself as I walked down the hill.
This building, dating from around 1897 (Meiji 30), is a blend of Japanese and Western architectural styles. It was the residence of Shizuji Sasaki, the fourth president of Kyosei, a rice wholesaler.
After the war, it was acquired and renovated as a branch church of Tomioka Church.
In 1949 (Showa 24), the land and building were acquired to establish a new church in response to the increasing number of parishioners in Otaru City. The first chief priest was appointed in October of the same year. He immediately mobilized the parishioners to begin the expansion and renovation of the building, and the dedication ceremony was held on November 13th.
(Approximately 140 people transferred from Tomioka Church.)
Continuing with the priest's dedicated work, the construction progressed from block construction to the expansion and improvement of the road walls, rectory, and sanctuary, culminating in the dedication ceremony for the expanded sanctuary on November 16, 1952 (Showa 27).
(From "Leap Forward," the commemorative publication for the 50th anniversary of the elevation of the Sapporo Diocese)
The church's name is Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The statue of the Virgin Mary inside the church was created by the first parish priest, Father Fujisaburo Kiuchi.
The Virgin Mary is a model of faith, and her heart is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
In homage to the "Seven Sorrows," the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally depicted as being pierced by a sword.
The Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in 1944 by Pope Pius XII, and during the reign of Paul VI, it was moved to the day after the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In April 2015 (Heisei 27), two church organizations in the city merged to form the "Catholic Otaru Church."
Accordingly, the names were also changed to "Suminoe Church" and "Tomioka Church." The rectory is located here.
Although facing issues such as a decrease in priests and an aging and declining birthrate among parishioners, the two buildings continue to be used as before and remain open to the public, aiming to be a church rooted in the community.
It was a filming location for the 2011 TBS drama "Asami Mitsuhiko Series: The Sea of Transformation," where it appeared as the orphanage "Donguri Gakuen."
The Sumiyoshi Shrine Grand Festival in July is bustling with many people. There are no restrooms nearby, so please use the ones here!
I was baptized in April 2012 at the Holy Vigil of Easter. I received the spiritual name of Saint Michael.
Thank you to everyone at Otaru Church!
I joined Tsukisamu Church in September 2022. I visit occasionally.
In January 2024, the closure of Suminoe Church was decided due to a decrease in and aging of parishioners.
Otaru Church will retain Tomioka Church, but the old rectory will be demolished due to dilapidation. It will become a circuit church without a resident priest.
It will have its final moments on April 28, 2024 (Reiwa 6), the 5th Sunday of Easter, with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by the bishop. After deconsecration, the building, being a semi-historic structure, is planned to be used in a traditional house renovation project.
For me, Otaru Church was like a light illuminating a dark path. Goodbye, Suminoe Church.
I will never forget the time I spent here—my baptism, my interactions with Vietnamese exchange students, my pilgrimage to Seoul…
