The Smith Memorial Hall

 Today, I'd like to introduce the Christian chapel with features of Japanese temple or shrine. It is called the Smith Memorial Hall.

 Here is the chapel. It is located near the Hikone Castle in Hikone City, Japan. Front view of the chapel. Very similar to Japanese temples, isn't it?

Although, it is based on traditional temple and shrine architecture, but also incorporates Christian motifs such as crosses and grapes, which are carved on the front beams and the ridge-end tile of roof, etc.

The Smith Memorial Hall and its monument written in English and Japanese. 

There are a pulpit, an altar and many pews inside like an ordinary church. But, currently only those who apply in advance and receive permission can utilize it.

 

 Its background and history is inscribed on the stone monument in the following photo. To summarize, it was built in 1931 by the American clergyman, Percy Almerin Smith, which was dedicated to the memories of his parents.
 In 1996, this chapel was on the verge of knock down due to road construction. But by the efforts of many citizens who wished to relocate and utilize it, the chapel was dismantled and each component was stored until reconstruction.  Thanks to the united efforts of a great number of people including the Mayer of Hikone, the current Smith Memorial Hall was relocated and restored at this place on December 7, 2006.

The full text of the inscription is as follows

The American clergyman Percy Almerin Smith was an English teacher at Hikone Commercial College (the present-day Faculty of Economics, Shiga University). He loved Hikone, its natural surroundings and its people. In 1931 he built the Smith Memorial Chapel partly at his own expense and with help from supporters in Japan and the United States. The Chapel was dedicated to the memory of his parents and also to international friendship and mutual respect between Japan and the United States through the Christian religion.

In 1996 we succeeded in saving the Smith Memorial Hall by dismantling it when its original site became threatened by a road-widening project. For many years its parts were kept in storage, and it was not clear whether or not we could reconstruct this beautiful rare building which is a Christian chapel designed to embody features of a traditional Japanese temple or shrine.

Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of many citizens of Hikone and to the understanding of Hikone Mayer and Council, it has been decided that this place, within sight of Hikone Castle, shall be the final location for the Smith Memorial Hall.

The reconstruction and preservation of the Hall is important for the future, not only because of the cultural value of this building, but also for its spiritual value. Spiritually, it is testament to universal human virtue that should never be forgotten and to mutual respect and friendship that span centuries and continents.

The Smith Memorial Hall Preservation Committee (A Non-Profit Organization)

2007. 3. 25

 

 The chapel restored is built at about 200m southeast apart from its original place and is located in front of the outer moat of Hikone Castle so that worshippers can view the Hikone Castle just like before relocation.

I took the photos except last two in this blog on November 16th.,2024 at Hikone City. Last two photos were taken on November 28th.