A Brick Gate Facing the Chapel Porch
The Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate (日本聖公会熊谷聖パウロ教会門) is the brick gate of a church of 1919 in Miyamachi, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 10, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a brick gate 4.5 metres wide; registration number 11-0090.
Kumagaya City notes that the gate stands on the north side of the site and was built at the same time as the chapel.
A Gate Aligned with the Porch
The Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate stands in line with the chapel porch at the foot of the bell tower (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The opening is 2.2 metres wide between the posts, with a side gate to the east.
The main posts are square brick piers two brick lengths across, and the side-gate posts are one and a half lengths across (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Kumagaya Digital Museum likewise describes the gate as built to face the chapel porch.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency singles out the band of bricks set on end between the base course and the shafts of the posts, laid to match the chapel, and registered the gate as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look low on the posts: a band of upright bricks marks the line between base and shaft, laid to match the chapel (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Stand at the centre of the opening and the bell tower and porch line up straight ahead, showing that gate and chapel were planned as one composition.
Visiting
The gate faces the street and can be seen from outside. The church is still used for worship (Kumagaya City), so avoid service times and ask the church before going in through the gate.
Q&A
- When was the Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate built?
- In 1919, at the same time as the chapel (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kumagaya City).
- How wide is the Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church gate?
- It is 4.5 metres wide overall, with an opening of 2.2 metres and a side gate to the east (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is special about the Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church gate?
- A band of upright bricks at the base of the posts, laid to match the chapel (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I see the Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church gate?
- Yes, it faces the street and can be seen from outside.
- When was the Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate registered?
- On November 10, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate (日本聖公会熊谷聖パウロ教会門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-139 Miyamachi, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/11/10 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 pair |
| Dimensions | Brick, 4.5 m wide |
| Owner | Nippon Sei Ko Kai Diocese of Kita Kanto (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Visible from the street |
References
- Nippon Sei Ko Kai Kumagaya Saint Paul's Church Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004946
- Kumagaya St Paul's Church Chapel and Gate (Kumagaya City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.kumagaya.lg.jp/kanko/rekisi/bunkazai/yukeibunkazai/seipauro.html
- Kumagaya St Paul's Church Chapel (Kumagaya Digital Museum, Japanese)
- https://www.kumagaya-bunkazai.jp/museum/jousetu/bunkazai/j002bunka.htm
Last verified: 2026.10.28
