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On a quiet street in Fresno’s Chinatown, a one-of-a-kind Catholic church that once served Chinese laborers and families remains rooted in community and tradition.
St. Genevieve Catholic Church, which sits on a one-block square at Tulare and C Streets, is said to be one of the smallest parishes in the world — as well as the only Catholic church in North America that has a distinctly Chinese design.
“It’s the only church of its kind on the Western Hemisphere, built for the Chinese by the Chinese in the architecture of the Chinese,” said Richard Fritas, a subdeacon and Franciscan brother.
Entering the church — a brick building with red and green trim and architecture reminiscent of a pagoda — there are intricate lanterns adorned with dragons, jade and red tassels. The Stations of the Cross carvings on the walls depict the events of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial and others with Chinese features. Statues behind the altar, imported from Taiwan, also portray the Virgin Mary and Joseph with Asian features. The color red, which is associated with happiness, prosperity and celebration in Chinese culture , is prominent throughout the house of worship.