This is the spot where the Kikuchi Reimei Church’s chapel once stood. Established in 1913, Kikuchi Reimei Church is an organization of Keifuen residents who believe in the teachings of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, a Christian denomination. At the time, there was a private sanatorium for Hansen’s Disease by the name of Kaishun Hospital operated by missionary Hannah Riddell in Kumamoto City, and staff from there visited Keifuen to spread Christian teachings to residents. In the pre-Pacific War period, Kikuchi Reimei Church did not have its own establishment, and instead it set up an altar alongside other religious groups inside a building called the worship hall. After the war, however, a chapel for the church would end up being built in 1952 with the support of donations from the Christian-based volunteer organization Kozensha. Sadly, the chapel was demolished after sustaining damage from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. Consequently, the church’s altar was relocated into Yasuragi General Hall.
■ information
address
inquiry
National Sanatorium Kikuchi Keifuen History museum
In the pre-Pacific War period, Kikuchi Reimei Church did not have its own establishment, and instead it set up an altar alongside other religious groups inside a building called the worship hall. After the war, however, a chapel for the church would end up being built in 1952 with the support of donations from the Christian-based volunteer organization Kozensha.
Sadly, the chapel was demolished after sustaining damage from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. Consequently, the church’s altar was relocated into Yasuragi General Hall.