Church in Ho Chi Minh City whose patron saint was burned

In the early 20th century, Cho Lon was very prosperous, and the number of parishioners also increased, so Father Gioan Baotixita Huynh Tinh Huong chose to build a new church on the Chinese cemetery because of its beautiful location and reasonable price. Although there is no information about the designer of this church, it is possible that it was Father Huynh Tinh Huong, who taught himself architecture and designed Cha Tam Church (Hoc Lac Street, District 5) in the early 20th century.

Sketch by Architect Hoang Huu Dat

The church is located next to rows of tall shady trees - sketch by architect Linh Hoang

The new church was named after Jeanne d'Arc, a heroine who led the French army against the British. At the age of 19, she was burned at the stake for heresy. In 1920, she was canonized by the Church. Some say that Father Huong named the church after her and chose Jeanne d'Arc as his patron saint because she was a symbol of indomitability against foreign invaders, while Vietnam was under French rule at that time.

Inaugurated in 1928, the building has a Neo-Roman architectural style (*) combined with a bit of Gothic (stained glass windows). The main gate has a statue of the patron saint Jeanne d'Arc. The interior space is divided into five rooms, painted in light colors, with a mezzanine running along the church. The system of louvers on the windows and on the surrounding walls, in addition to helping with ventilation, also creates the necessary "porosity" to help reduce the heaviness of the building. The church has five bells cast in 1930, each with carved patterns and a personal name (possibly the name of the person who contributed money to make the bells). Lam Yen

(*): Developed in the second half of the 19th century in Europe and America. Inspired by Roman architecture. Solid, heavy form, semi-arched structure, small doors but the arches and windows are simpler.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-tho-o-tphcm-co-nu-thanh-bon-mang-bi-hoa-thieu-185241019195044633.htm