Kien Lao Church

Kien Lao Church is a large Roman Catholic parish church located in Xuan Tien Commune, Xuan Truong District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Built in the late 19th century and rebuilt in the 20th century, it is notable for its Gothic Revival architecture, twin bell towers, and elaborate stone facade. It serves as the center of Kien Lao Parish in the Bui Chu Diocese and is one of the most prominent Catholic churches in northern Vietnam.

Visitors can expect a large Gothic-style Catholic church with twin towers, pointed arches, stained-glass windows and a spacious courtyard. The exterior features detailed stonework and statues, while the interior has a vaulted nave, altar, and religious artworks. The church is set in a rural village surrounded by residential houses and small roads. Visitors can walk around the exterior, view the facade, and enter the interior outside of Mass times when open.

The original Kien Lao Church was first built in 1882 during the French colonial period to serve the local Catholic community of the Bui Chu Diocese. The current structure was largely rebuilt and restored in the 20th century, with major reconstruction completed in the 1990s-2000s, preserving its Gothic Revival style. It reflects the long history of Catholicism in Nam Dinh, one of the earliest centers of Catholicism in Vietnam.

Kien Lao Church is the central place of worship for Kien Lao Parish under the Bui Chu Diocese and holds religious significance for the local Catholic community. It is an important example of Catholic religious architecture in the Red River Delta and is frequently visited for religious observance, festivals, and as a cultural landmark illustrating the region's religious heritage.