St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church

St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church in Yamaguchi City marks the site where the Jesuit missionary preached in 1549, establishing the city as one of Japan's earliest Christian centers. The current building, rebuilt in 1991 after a fire destroyed its predecessor, takes a modernist approach: dramatically angled white walls and contemporary stained glass fill the interior with shifting colored light. The angular tower is visible from across the city. A small adjacent museum documents the history of Christianity in Japan, covering periods of persecution and hidden practice. The grounds sit on a quiet hillside with pleasant views, and the approach through a residential neighborhood sets a contemplative tone before you arrive.