Beijing’s Historic Christian Cemetery
Hidden away in plain sight under some old trees and large hedges in the middle of the Beijing Administrative College campus lie the graves of several Jesuit priests and missionaries, including Matteo Ricci and Ferdinand Verbiest. Ming and Qing emperors gave land to the Jesuits where this campus now sits. You might say that at one time, this corner of the Chinese capital was its Christian district. Most of the buildings, including hospitals, chapels, and schools, have been removed. And, of the former cemetery, only a small plot remains. It contains the tombs of Ricci and Verbiest next to a few dozen others.
Matteo Ricci
Ricci was a Jesuit missionary who became an advisor to the Ming emperor in the late 16th century. He was very accomplished in his Chinese language skills and his scientific and mathematic skills. Ricci created European-style maps and atlases of China and translated Chinese works to European languages and vice versa. He was the first Westerner to enter the Forbidden City and had free access of the place. Even with the support and patronage of the emperor, Ricci never met him.
At the time of Ricci’s death, China did not permit foreigners to be buried in China, except in Macau. However, the emperor honored a request for him to be buried in Beijing because of his outstanding contributions to China. The emperor chose a Buddhist temple to serve as Ricci’s resting place. They buried many other missionaries and priests there over the next few hundred years.
Verbiest and Schall von Bell
Other Notable Figures in the Cemetery including Ferdinand Verbiest and Johann Adam Schall von Bell.
Verbiest translated many European texts on astronomy, science, and math into Manchu and Chinese as well as Chinese works into European languages. The Qing emperor gave him authority to preach Christianity as he pleased. In addition to his scientific and religious contributions to China, Verbiest improved China’s military might and infrastructure through many projects. Emperor Kangxi appointed Verbiest as the head of the imperial observatory.
Schall von Bell was a Jesuit astronomer and mathematician. Additionally, he helped create the Chinese calendar for the last Ming emperor. He served the first Qing emperor as an advisor and Mandarin. The emperor permitted him to to preach and build churches throughout China.
To Visit the Tombs and Cemetery
As mentioned, the tombs of these men and the cemetery of others is on the grounds of the Beijing Administrative College. The campus is closed without the proper ID or an invitation. You can arrange a visit through the college’s office by emailing Ms. Chen (Lucy) at chenlu@bac.gov.cn. She told us on our visit that the college has plans to make a little visitor center for the cemetery for more people to visit and learn the history. There is also information available on the college’s English website.
