Taitung's Paiwan Tribe: Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church（金崙聖若瑟天主堂） One of the Three Black Churches in the World

A Unique Architectural Experience

The Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church, uniquely combines indigenous cultural elements with its design.

To reach St. Joseph Church, you can take the train from Taitung Station to Jinlun Station. The journey offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean along the coastline. From Jinlun Station, it’s about a six-minute walk to the church.

The three black churches in the world are located in Iceland, Romania, and here at Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church. The church's history dates back to 1955 when the Catholic Church, through the Paris Foreign Missions Society , established its presence in Taitung. Designed to reflect the cultural characteristics of the Paiwan people, the church combines faith and traditional culture, using black slate from the Paiwan tribe for its exterior—making it the only indigenous black church in the world.

The stunning view of the Pacific Ocean in Taitung's Taimali Township.

As you approach the church, the exterior is quite striking. The design incorporates the round ceramic urns characteristic of the Paiwan culture, with a cross atop the roof and a glass skylight below, symbolizing the mouth of an urn. Underneath the eaves, you’ll find Paiwan traditional headdresses made from bear and eagle feathers, alongside wild boar tusks arranged in a sun shape, inscribed with the Paiwan language pronunciation of "KIOKAI NI SANTO YOSEF," meaning St. Joseph Church. The main entrance is adorned with carvings depicting Paiwan ancestors, emphasizing gender equality—representing hunting on the right and weaving and millet on the left, along with various tribal totems.

The church’s skylight features a three-dimensional cross, adorned with Paiwan bear and eagle feathers, along with wild boar tusks.

Inside the church, the skylight featuring painted glass reflects vibrant light into the space. The walls are decorated with wild boar tusks, hunting knives, and bows, showcasing tribal elements. Many ceramic fish are embedded in the walls, illustrating biblical stories. As you approach the altar, you'll notice that the altar and holy water fonts are adorned with Paiwan totems, while statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph are dressed in traditional Paiwan clothing. The representation of Jesus resembles the features of a Paiwan man, offering a fascinating perspective.

Various Paiwan wooden carvings are displayed. Statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and St. Joseph. St. Joseph dressed in traditional Paiwan attire.

Additionally, there's a small garden outside the church, featuring a wooden sculpture of "St. Joseph and the Child Jesus," where St. Joseph carries the young Jesus holding a cross, exuding a sense of indigenous love. From the garden, you can also enjoy views of the Jinlun Bridge, one of the most beautiful elevated bridges in Taiwan.

The wooden sculpture of "St. Joseph and the Child Jesus" stands in the garden, showcasing indigenous love.

Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church Address: No. 354, Jinlun Village, Taimali Township, Taitung County,Taiwan Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Sunday 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Website: https://tour.taitung.gov.tw/zh-tw/attraction/details/1471

Paiwan Tribe （排灣族） 's Yao Yao Rice Dish

To learn more about the Paiwan people, after visiting St. Joseph Church, head to the Binmou Community （賓茂村社區） . Entering the community through the indigenous archway, you’ll see colorful murals depicting Paiwan stories and many homes adorned with indigenous totems—perfect for photo opportunities.

To learn more about the Paiwan people, visit to the Binmou community . The community features numerous tribal totems. Tourists enjoy exploring Binmou Village while capturing memorable photos.

After about a ten-minute walk, you'll arrive at Jiang Mi Mi Restaurant , where you can savor an indigenous flavor meal. The set menu includes three main dishes: mackerel, roasted chicken, and "lingling" (snails), served with unique Paiwan mountain Yao Yao rice, fermented tofu, pickled ginger, and the indigenous rice dumpling known as "Qinafu （奇拿富） ." The standout dish is the "lingling," which adventurous eaters should definitely try—it’s surprisingly tender.

The Yao Yao rice dish set includes mackerel, roasted chicken, and "lingling" (snails), accompanied by Yao Yao rice, fermented tofu, pickled ginger, and the indigenous rice dumpling "Qinafu."

Yao Yao rice （搖搖飯） is similar to congee but less creamy than Cantonese congee. This traditional Paiwan dish is made by continuously stirring a large pot of rice to prevent it from burning, hence the name "Yao Yao." The rice is simply cooked with vegetables, resulting in a light flavor that pairs well with pickled ginger and fermented tofu. The "Qinafu" rice dumpling is made with millet and pork, providing a soft and delightful taste. The set menu is priced at 380 TWD and requires a reservation.

Jiang Mi Mi Restaurant Address: No. 67, Binmou Village, Jinfeng Township, Taitung County,Taiwan Email: yvonne_vulu@yahoo.com.tw

Taitung's Paiwan Tribe: Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church（金崙聖若瑟天主堂 ） One of the Three Black Churches in the World

Taitung's Paiwan Tribe: Jinlun St. Joseph Catholic Church（金崙聖若瑟天主堂） One of the Three Black Churches in the World