Foochow (Fuzhou), Fukien province, China: a church. Photograph by John Thomson, 1870/1871.

A Chinese shrine in the foreground at the left, with a man entering. A severe stone Anglican (?) chapel on the right, surrounded by railings

Missionaries began to be active in Fuzhou in the mid-19th century. Apart from producing and distributing tracts and parts of the Bible prepared in both Chinese and the local dialect, a number of medical missionaries were also actively involved in the anti-opium movement, and hoping to gain support for their missionary work from the local gentry. Most missions in Fuzhou set up their own churches. This stone-built one was constructed by the Anglican Church (Church of England). It was built in 1850 on the hill near the southern bank of River Min. Close to the church there was also a Methodist chapel and a Christian cemetery. Opposite it was a Chinese shrine. According to John Thomson, devout Buddhists regularly burnt incense there to counteract the influences of the Christian places of worship

1870

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion ; glass approximately 25.5 x 30.5 cm (10 x 12 in.)

Mission chapel and Chinese shrine Bears Thomson's negative number: "326"

This is one of a collection of original glass negatives made by John Thomson. The negatives, made between 1868 and 1872, were purchased from Thomson by Sir Henry Wellcome in 1921

China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 94 (reproduced)

Wellcome Collection 18910i