About Miyamaecho Church

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

History of Miyamaecho Church

The history of this church began in 1901(Meiji 34), when the area was still called Kameda Village, when Bishop Berlioz of Missions étrangères de Paris (MEP) purchased a small two-room house on the present site and turned it into Kameda Church.

Because of the enthusiastic missionary efforts of many missionaries, the number of members of the congregation gradually increased and in 1924(Taisho 12), Bishop Berlioz built a new cathedral, which became Miyamaecho Church in 1931(Showa 6).

During the war, although foreign priests were forced to return to their home countries, making it very difficult for them to continue their work, they were able to overcome these difficulties with support of the strong faith of Japanese priests and the church members.

After the war, foreign priests came back again, and the increasing number of the young congregation have made this church more active.

In 1965(Showa40), a Japanese-style cathedral with a plaid pattern was built. The small cathedral has an altar that was moved from the previous cathedral, which is also used as the altar in the present cathedral.

In 2001(Heisei13), the church celebrated its 100th anniversary, and in 2005(Heisei17), a circular concrete cathedral was built to represent a new era of Miyamaecho Church.　

The church in 1931

The church in 1965

Mass in Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Daisengendake mountain

Daisengendake, 50 km west of Hakodate, is a mountain with a history of martyrdom.　　

Christianity was introduced to Japan in 1549, but in 1613, the Kirishitan (Christianity in feudal Japan) Prohibition was declared, and the oppression of priests and believers became severe throughout the country.

The believers crossed the Tsugaru Straits to Matsumae in order to defend their faith.　

At that time, oppression was not yet so severe in Matsumae Clan and many Kirishitan (Christians in feudal Japan) lived as miners digging for gold sand in the river at Daisengendake. However, eventually, 106 Kirishitans were executed in 1639, some 400 years ago.　

Since 1959, the Catholic Church in the Hakodate area has been holding a martyrdom memorial mass on the last Sunday of July every year at the site of the Kanayama guardhouse on the upper reaches of the Shiriuchi River in Daisengendake mountain, where the martyrdom took place.

The priest and the participants climb the steep mountain and offer Mass in remembrance of the martyrs. Miyamaecho Church has many members who have supported this martyrdom mass, and they have kept the materials regarding the mass to pass them on to future generations.

Cross at the site of Kanayama Guardhouse

Patron saint, St.Michael the Archangel

Michael, an angel whose name also means "one who is like God" is said to have fought against the devil. Francis Xavier designated him as the Patron Saint of Japan, and he also protects us dairy as the patron saint at Miyamae-cho Church.