The Church of St. Catherine of Siena is a new Catholic sanctuary completed on April 29, 1991 at the current site of Kaohsiung Catholic Church. This is a typical example of Catholic Church buildings with local characteristics constructed after the Second Vatican Council.
The Church of St. Catherine of Siena features two towers with pavilion-type, four-cornered roofs covered with glazed tiles. If it weren't for the crosses installed on the roofs, the church could be mistaken for a local temple. The site layout is even more interesting: functional spaces have been added to both sides of the central church building to form a spatial layout strongly reminiscent of a traditional Chinese family compound. In addition, traditional Chinese practices have been incorporated into the ceremonies of the church. Morning bells and evening drums have been added on both sides of the saint altar. The bells are struck every morning at 8 am, while the drums are only beaten for mass during major catholic festivals; with both stressing the local character of church ceremonies.
三民／天主公教會
高雄天主公教會現址之聖加大利納堂為1991年4月29日落成的新聖堂，為見證梵二會議後天主教本土化教堂形式的高雄代表建築。
1962年10月11日召開至1965年9月14日結束的梵二會議強調天主教會並非歐洲人的專利，而是屬於全球所有民族的，因而開始採用在地語言舉行禮儀，教會的形式與建築風格也趨向了本土化，四角攢尖式屋頂的雙塔與牌樓搭配著琉璃屋瓦，若不注意立在上面的十字架還會誤以為是寺廟建築呢。平面的配置更是趣味，除了中央的聖堂外，左右更設置了其他的機能空間，形成如中國傳統合院的空間形態。另外高雄天主公教會的儀式也融入了中國傳統的風氣，位於主保亭的兩側設有「暮鼓晨鐘」，會於早上8點整敲響鐘聲，而擊鼓只會在大瞻禮的彌撒典禮時擊響，強調了在地化的儀式性。
文／黃則維、柳青薰
圖／高雄市政府文化局