Saint John’s University: A Traditional Chinese Styled Church School

The Changning Campus of Ease China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPSL) is based on Saint John’s University built by the Episcopal Church in the United States of America in late 19th Century to early and mid 20th Century. In 1952, the colleges and departments of Saint John’s University were consolidated with many other universities respectively. Taofen Building, one of the most well-known buildings in the university, was originally named “Shien Hall” in memory of S.I.J.Schereschewsky, the founder of the university. The ground-breaking ceremony of the building was held on January 26, 1894. The building’s roof are curve-cornered, a typical feature of Chinese courtyard houses. At the advice of one of the professors, built in the middle of its south side was a bell tower, rather than the originally designed tower. It turned out that the bell is useful for the university and communities nearby alike. The building was the first ever Chinese-styled college, and the best designed church school buildings.

What makes it special?

Saint John’s University had significant meaning in that the western education model it introduced influenced both the education community and the society of modern China. When you are here on the campus, you will find that what it contributed to China’s high education lasts till now. -- Tang Xiaofeng, Curator of Changning Library

I still remember the days when we walked hand in hand out of Zhongshan Park into the ECUPSL, or, Saint John’s University.

Basking in summer sunshine, the serene and graceful campus was full of the vigor of youth, our youth. Walking through the shades, we were amazed by the university’s architectural beauty. It felt like that the buildings stayed intact despite all the time it weathered through, and so was our love.

There we sat, under the grape trellis in a courtyard deep in the campus, listening to the birds’ chirps and the breezes through the leaves. The azure sky high above was framed by surrounding buildings. The view was enchanting and so were you. What a bewitching moment.

Could it be the spell of memories? The sight of Saint John’s University also reminds me of you, and of the smile on your face when you listened to me telling the stories about the university. I wished the time would have stood still.

Here the university stands, year after year, but sadly, we just drifted apart. -- Xu Zimu, resident in Zhoujiaoqiao Sub-district