The Passion of the Christ Traditional Cache

"The Passion of the Christ (sometimes referred to as The Passion) is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It also draws on pious accounts such as the Friday of Sorrows along with other devotional writings, such as those attributed to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich."

At GZ, you can find St Teresa's Church established in 1932 and now rated as Grade I historic building. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Henry Valtorta, the 4th Vicar Apostolic and the 1st Bishop of Hong Kong. It is the second oldest Catholic church in Kowloon: second to Rosary Church in Tsim Sha Tsui. On 23 April 1932, the foundation stone of the Church was laid by Bishop Valtorta. On 18 December 1932, the new church, dedicated to St. Teresa’s of Child Jesus, was solemnly blessed and opened by the Bishop Valtoria. The main hall was also built beside the Church; however, it was demolished in 1950 and replaced by the Caritas Centre. 

Most of the original congregation were Portuguese Catholics living in the Kowloon Tong and Homantin areas. During the Japanese occupation of 1941 to 1945, the Church’s pastors were allowed to pay services to the internees in the Argyle Street Prisoners-of-War Camp. After the change of sovereignty in China in 1949, many Mainland missionaries settled in Hong Kong and joined the Church’s team. With this reinforcement the St. Teresa’s Parish was able to expand its services by running new schools and social welfare centres. Also, several new Parishes were born of St. Teresa’s, such as St. Cecilia in Diamond Hill, St. Peter’s in Kowloon Tsai in 1952. So, St. Teresa’s Parish became the Mother of several new Parishes.

The architectural style of this church is Romanesque Revival based on Roman and Byzantine elements, characterized by massive articulated wall structures, round arches, and powerful vaults. Notable features include the basilican plan, semi-circular apse, central octagonal dome over the crossing, the bell tower or campanile and pantiled roof. The front entrance porch or portico is composed of a stepped pitched roof supported by arches springing from six columns with carved imposts and curled leaf shaped capitals in almost Persian or Egyptian style. The same style of columns is found internally forming arcaded aisles on each side of the nave. The pitched roof over the nave is supported by unusually shaped trusses.

Be careful with the broken glass. The cache is outside the historic building so try not to disturb the muggles. Be stealthy, bring your own pen and happy caching!

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