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TAIPEI AIR STATION |
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On 13 March 1955, the new Victory Church held its dedication service. As was common at the time, a group photograph was taken to commemorate the occasion. My mother is in the photograph to the left side. |
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Shortly after its dedication, the congregation celebrated Easter Sunday in 1955. After the service, a smaller group photograph was taken. |
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Looming behind Victory Church were the ruins of an imposing industrial facility. According to Bruce Rayle's friend, Juju Wang, this factory was involved in the production of synthetic fuels for the Japanese Navy during World War II. It was bombed by American bomber aircraft in late 1944 or 1945. This photograph was probably taken later in 1955 after a new bamboo fence had been built around the church property. Read more about this factory in The Rayle Family's subsection under the Hsinchu category on this same website. |
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Another photograph of Victory Church from later in 1955 after a new bamboo fence had been built around the church property. This view clearly shows the original moon gate front entrance. One can only imagine how many former patrons of the tea house became regular congregants of the new church.
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By 1957 the Victory Church congregation had continued to expand and the facility was expanded to cope with church growth. The facility was essentially rebuilt with extensions on either side and a new front facade. The original structure was supplemented and/or replaced by a concrete structure. This 1957 photograph, after the completion of the renovations, shows an expanded congregation welcoming a foreign visitor.
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