Bui Chu Church, one of the most magnificient old churches in the north of Vietnam, is in a state of serious disrepair. (Photo tintucnamdinh.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Relics Preservation Institute, after examining 134-year-old BuiChu Church in the northern province of Nam Dinh, has proposed twopossible renovation plans to the Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism.
The church, located in Xuan Ngoc commune,Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province, was built in the late 19th century bySpanish Bishop Wenceslao Onate Thuan. It was inaugurated in 1885and renovated in 1974 and 2000.
The first solutionaims to maintain the original structure and remove damaged parts to fix orreplace them, while the second option would see the church torn down andreplaced by a new structure modelled off the original.
Under the first plan,for example, workers would remove broken roof tiles. They would re-use onesthat can be salvaged and replace those that cannot with new tiles designedbased on the old ones.
The workerswould fix the damaged cement border on the roof to look like the originalarchitecture.
The worm-eaten woodenpillars would be replaced by wood of the same kind and cracked wallswould be fixed, maintaining their original decoration patterns.
The foundationwould be strengthened to save the inclined bell tower and walls. Theold floor tiles would be replaced by new ones based on the originals.
According to expertsfrom the institute, this solution would not last very long and furtherrenovation would be needed every year. It also would not meet thedemand for a larger space for gatherings inside the church.
The second solutioninvolves pulling down the whole building including the old foundation andfloor. Workers would build a new foundation using advanced techniquesto ensure the building will last longer.
The new churchwould mimic the old structure but would be slightly larger.
The new buildingwould reuse metal decoration frames, preserve tombs of priests and userenovated gold-gilded decorations, old stone stelae and two bronze bells.
The institutesaid the second solution would be more stable and long-lasting.
“It preserves basicfeatures and typical values of the original church while meeting demands of thecommunity for a larger area at a reasonable price,” the report to the cultureministry reads.
The instituteproposed the ministry choose a highly qualified agency with experience in renovatingrelics and building religious buildings. The chosen agency should make adetailed plan before dismantling any of the building.
As the ministryconsults experts to choose between the two options, some architects haveexpressed concerns.
Nguyen Hanh Nguyen, alecturer at HCM City Architecture University, told Thanh Nien (YoungPeople) newspaper she had voted for the first solution.
“This solution keepsthe key values of the building and avoids destroying materials that cannot bereplaced,” she said. “This solution preserves symbols of culture andhistory proving the initial period when Christianity was introduced in Vietnam.This is a way of preserving originality.”
She said she wasworried that after destroying the walls and foundation, it wouldbe impossible to find workers talented enough to recreate theold structure.
“We always remakebuildings that were totally destroyed by fire or bombs,” she said. “This is anintact building.”
Architect Nguyen NgocHoai Nam, a member of Yeu Di San (Love Heritage) Group, said hebelieves the first solution will cost much less than the second option.
Nam also suggestedanother solution: preserve the existing church while building a new buildingnext to the old one.
“We will both keepthe old one and have a more spacious area for the increasing demands of thelocal community,” he said.-VNS/VNA
