Church with 'skewed' architecture once welcomed US President

Built in 1927 and inaugurated in 1931, the project was designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard (1875 - 1933) according to the idea of ​​Father Dronet. The church was originally named Queen of Martyrs, but because it is located opposite the North Gate of the Imperial Citadel, people often call it the North Gate Church.

Sketch by Architect Tran Xuan Hong

The ground plan is still in the Basilica style (ancient Roman architecture, popular in European churches), cross-shaped, the main space develops along the vertical axis, with two wings. However, unlike most churches with symmetrical facades, Cua Bac church chooses an asymmetrical layout: the bell tower is not in the middle but is offset to one side (southeast direction) to attract the view from Cua Bac street towards Quan Thanh. An auxiliary block is also offset to the northwest direction, both optimizing the area and being "balanced" with the bell tower.

The building is in the Indochinese style (proposed by architect Ernest Hébrard, a style that blends Western architecture and traditional Indochinese and Chinese architecture). Specifically, according to the Archdiocese of Hanoi , rose windows and stained glass (characteristics of Gothic architecture) on both sides of the sanctuary, rows of small, narrow windows placed high up (in Roman architecture) supported by a system of sloping roofs and Asian scale roofs. Instead of "soaring high" like European churches, Cua Bac church is "compressed" with a system of tiled roofs that extend far and stylized overlapping roofs... The large roof system in the lobby creates a more intimate feeling, a bit like the shape of a Vietnamese village communal house roof.

Rose window (round) is a characteristic of Gothic style - sketch by architect Bui Hoang Bao

The interior space is not as ornate as European Baroque churches, but has smooth walls, soft colors, and few decorative patterns. Many high windows help bring in natural light.

In 2006, US President George W. Bush and his wife visited this church.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-tho-co-kien-truc-lech-tung-don-tong-thong-my-185250510210112335.htm