wfn.org | Taiwanese Theological School "Threatened" with Landmark

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Status
Taiwan Church News 2644, November 3, 2002
Reported by Li Hsin-ren.  Translated and Rewritten by David
Alexander

   The municipal government of Tainan City, in southern Taiwan,
began discussing the status of the buildings of Tainan
Theological College and Seminary, an agency of the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan (PCT) last Spring.  The point of the discussions
was the designation of the school's chapel and quadrangle as
historical artifacts, including them in development restrictions
that apply to other old structures in the city's East Gate
District.  The designation would include buildings on campus that
originally housed the Taiwan Church News, Taiwan's first locally
published newspaper.  These buildings have not been used by the
press for almost 20 years, but remain standing.  The college
disapproves of the government's plan.
   The college was founded in 1872 by Dr. Thomas Barclay from the
English Presbyterian Church. Little or nothing of the original
structures remains today, but some of the mid 20th century
buildings appear ancient in Taiwan's modern environment.
   The Rev. Lim Bun-thiat, Dean of Operations, said that the
government failed to include the college in its discussions and
made the designation for historical preservation without an
accompanying outlay of funds to carry it out.  He styled this
manner of operation as "rough treatment", saying it will impact
the college's future development prospects.
   Mr. Lim questions the government's historical designation
power. "Construction of the designated buildings was completed in
1957. They're not even 50 years old.  How can these be historical
artifacts already?"
   Speaking to the limitations such a designation will put on the
school's development, he said, "It doesn't matter whether it will
be the chapel or the classroom buildings, if we are to remodel or
repair them, we will have to obtain permission from city hall
first.	Being incorporated into the East Gate Preservation
District will add a further layer of bureaucracy.  It is truly a
fearful matter."

For more information: Tainan Theological College and Seminary
www.ttcs.org.tw