Fukuoka International Church

If you don’t notice the blue gate with double white crosses, you could easily walk past the Fukuoka International Church without realizing it is a setting for religious activities. Look up to the building’s second floor to see another simple cross at the building’s nameplate. Gaze even higher to the simple cross at the very top of this rather tall but quite narrow and plain building.

Step inside the church to view its interior simplicity as well, with a wooden altar and lectern. A recessed niche is decorated by only a wooden cross, flowers and candles.

This Christian Protestant church is part of the Japan Baptist Convention. The congregation consists of local residents, expats and visitors from around the world. Join one of the Sunday morning services in Japanese or English. Everyone is welcome. Christmas celebrations include a special luncheon, candlelight services, caroling and a tea party.

Perhaps the most unusual part of the church is that it even exists in this city of more than 1.5 million Japanese people. Greet parishioners after a service and ask them about how the church came to be. It was established in 1980 by Leroy K. Seat, a native of Missouri who earned a doctor of philosophy in theology and served in Japan as a Baptist missionary from 1966 to 2004. He was also a faculty member at Seinan Gakuin University for much of that time and became chancellor for his last 8 years in Fukuoka. Ponder the effort and commitment demonstrated by Seat and his wife June to bring together the community in creating this lasting structure.

In about 50 minutes, you can walk the path from the church to the university that Pastor Seat would have taken, passing several delightfully serene areas. Head west to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Fukuoka Art Museum and Fukuokaken Gokoku Shrine. Continue south around Ohori Park’s large lake, stopping at the park’s peaceful Japanese garden.

Fukuoka International Church is in the heart of the city, a 10-minute walk from Tenjin Central Park. Find a little bit of home in this welcoming community church.