A STUDY ON BUILDING PROJECTS OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF FUKUOKA (PART 3) : CONSTRUCTION OF MOJI CHURCH

Abstract

The Catholic Moji church, completed in 1930, was initiated by Fr. Martin of the Paris Foreign Missions and designed by master carpenter Kawahara Seiji. Its interior featured a flat ceiling elevated over the nave, deviating from the rib-vaulted ceilings typical of Japanese churches since the Meiji era. This shift reflected changing perceptions among Japanese Catholics and missionaries, particularly in rapidly developing cities, where flat ceilings gained acceptance. Financial constraints also influenced this design choice. Moji church exemplifies the changing architectural and cultural attitudes toward church design in Japan during the 1930s, marking a departure from traditional norms.