Taiwanese Theological School "Threatened" with Landmark Status

November 3, 2002

The municipal government of Tainan City, in southern Taiwan, began discussing the status of the buildings of Tainan Theological College and Seminary, an agency of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) last Spring. The point of the discussions was the designation of the school's chapel and quadrangle as historical artifacts, including them in development restrictions that apply to other old structures in the city's East Gate District. The designation would include buildings on campus that originally housed the Taiwan Church News, Taiwan's first locally published newspaper. These buildings have not been used by the press for almost 20 years, but remain standing. The college disapproves of the government's plan.

The college was founded in 1872 by Dr. Thomas Barclay from the English Presbyterian Church. Little or nothing of the original structures remains today, but some of the mid 20th century buildings appear ancient in Taiwan's modern environment.

The Rev. Lim Bun-thiat, Dean of Operations, said that the government failed to include the college in its discussions and made the designation for historical preservation without an accompanying outlay of funds to carry it out. He styled this manner of operation as "rough treatment," saying it will impact the college's future development prospects.

Mr. Lim questions the government's historical designation power. "Construction of the designated buildings was completed in 1957. They're not even 50 years old. How can these be historical artifacts already?"

Speaking to the limitations such a designation will put on the school's development, he said, "It doesn't matter whether it will be the chapel or the classroom buildings, if we are to remodel or repair them, we will have to obtain permission from city hall first. Being incorporated into the East Gate Preservation District will add a further layer of bureaucracy. It is truly a fearful matter."

Taiwan Church News
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander