A Stone-Faced Church Rebuilt after a Fire
The Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan (former Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church) (日本基督教団札幌教会（旧札幌美以教会堂）) is a stone-faced church in the city centre of 1904 in Kita 1-jo Higashi 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey stone building with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 233 square metres; registration number 01-0008.
Stone Facing for Fire Protection
The Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan was built as the Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church after its wooden church burned down (Agency for Cultural Affairs). For fire protection, stone was laid over a timber frame.
It is Romanesque overall, with Gothic details such as the rose window, and is a landmark of the city centre (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes it as a landmark of central Sapporo, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the Gothic details, such as the rose window, within the Romanesque exterior (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on public access was found.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is it faced in stone?
- For fire protection, after the earlier wooden church burned.
- What is its style?
- Romanesque overall with Gothic details.
- What was it formerly called?
- The Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church.
- When was the Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan (former Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church) registered?
- On September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan (former Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church) (日本基督教団札幌教会（旧札幌美以教会堂）) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kita 1-jo Higashi 1-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/09/02 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey stone, sheet-iron roof, 233 m² |
| Owner | Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan |
| Public Access | No official access information |
References
- Sapporo Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan (former Sapporo Methodist Episcopal Church) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000720
Last verified: 2026.10.23