Research on the Construction of Sino-Western Fusion Catholic Churches in China: A Case Study of a Catholic Church in Anqing

As an early vehicle for the spread of Western architectural culture in China, Catholic churches from the late 19th to the early 20th century exhibited unique Sino-Western fusion characteristics, serving as tangible witnesses to modern cultural encounters. This study focuses on the Anqing Catholic Church as a typical example and systematically analyzes its architectural translation strategies and the generation logic of fusion mechanisms through literature analysis, field research, typological analysis, and comparative research. This study shows that the church, based on the archetypes of Neoclassical and single-tower Gothic churches, constructs a localized translation system through five paths: site selection strategy, form adjustments, element replacement, technical integration, and spatial secularization. Our research further points out that churches with dual archetypes are mainly located in economically prosperous urban centers, with their spatial forms reflecting a fusion mechanism of “sacredness–regionalism–humanism”. While following religious space requirements, these churches adapt to the local environment and foster cultural identification through localized translation, reflecting the diverse perspectives of the architects.