Bùi Chu Church in Xuân Ngọc Commune, Xuân Trường District, Nam Định Province, was built in the late 19th century by Spanish Bishop Wenceslao Onate Thuận. —VNA/VNS File Photo

NAM ĐỊNH —The foundation and architectural details of Bùi Chu Church should be preserved during its renovation, the Nam Định Culture, Sports and Tourism Department has said.

The department made its suggestion in a report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Culture Heritage Department, after working with the the ministry, Nam Định Construction Department, Xuân Trường District’s People’s Committee and representatives of priests from the church.

The Nam Định culture department quoted the provincial Construction Department as saying in November 2016 in its own report to the ministry that  “… after 132 years in use, Bùi Chu Church now has reached a level of serious degradation, especially the wooden and metal parts. It is necessary to renovate the church to secure safety for religious activities.”

“The Construction Department asked the head representative priest of Bùi Chu Diocese to renovate using the same old foundation, and maintain the height, length and width of the original church and architectural details,” the Nam Định culture department said.

”To ensure safety for religious activities, renovation is necessary, and this has been agreed to by local Christian and religious leaders.”

The Relic Preservation Institute is now checking the site and will propose solutions soon to ministry leaders.

Earlier this month, the Bùi Chu Diocese decided to postpone its plan to demolish the church and rebuild it after many architects and preservationists strongly protested.

Bùi Chu Church, located in Xuân Ngọc Commune in Xuân Trường District in Nam Định Province, was built in the late 19th century by Spanish Bishop Wenceslao Onate Thuận. 

The church opend in 1885 and was renovated in 1974 and 2000. — VNS