A-bombed cornerstone plate of Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church returns after 46 years
May 3, 2017
by Shinji Morito, Staff Writer
Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church in Kaminobori-cho, Naka Ward, which is marking the 130th anniversary of its establishment this year, has brought back its “A-bombed cornerstone plate” after an absence of 46 years. The church was once located in Kaminagarekawa-cho (today’s Teppo-cho in Naka Ward) when the atomic bombing occurred, and the cornerstone plate survived the A-bomb attack despite the fact that the church building itself was almost completely destroyed. The plate continued to serve as a reminder of this history after it was replaced in the rebuilt church that rose on the same spot. But after the church was relocated to its current site, the plate was removed and placed in storage. The old cornerstone plate will now be a new symbol that can convey the devastation of the atomic bombing to visitors and encourage prayers for a peaceful world.
The cornerstone plate, which appears to be made of granite, is 38 centimeters high and 62 centimeters wide. Originally, the inscription “AD 1927, Showa Ni Nen” (the second year of the Showa period) was engraved on the plate to indicate the year construction began on the building. Since that time, though, the plate cracked into two pieces, possibly as a result of the atomic bombing, and part of the “Ni Nen” (second year) is missing. The plate is now installed on the wall of the front side of the church, along with a board that provides explanation.
Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church was established in Nishidaiku-machi (today’s Eno-machi in Naka Ward) in May 1887. The construction of the church, a reinforced concrete building which later experienced the atomic bombing, was begun in 1927 and completed in 1928. Because the church was located about 900 meters to the east of the hypocenter, the bomb blast destroyed almost the entire building. But part of the outer wall, which bore the cornerstone plate, managed to endure. In 1952, the church was rebuilt, making use of the remaining wall, and the plate was preserved as well. However, in 1971, when the church moved to a new building at its current location, the plate was removed, placed in a wooden box, and then put into storage.
With this year marking the 130th anniversary of the church, the minister and members of the congregation, including A-bomb survivors, proposed that the plate be reinstalled. Mareo Mukai, 57, the minister of the church, expressed his hopes by saying, “This cornerstone plate is a valuable artifact that can help prevent the memories of the atomic bombing from being forgotten. I hope it can help people make deeper prayers for realizing a peaceful world.” On May 7, a service to commemorate the anniversary will take place from 11:45 a.m. and the A-bombed cornerstone plate will be introduced to those in attendance.
(Originally published on May 3, 2017)
Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church in Kaminobori-cho, Naka Ward, which is marking the 130th anniversary of its establishment this year, has brought back its “A-bombed cornerstone plate” after an absence of 46 years. The church was once located in Kaminagarekawa-cho (today’s Teppo-cho in Naka Ward) when the atomic bombing occurred, and the cornerstone plate survived the A-bomb attack despite the fact that the church building itself was almost completely destroyed. The plate continued to serve as a reminder of this history after it was replaced in the rebuilt church that rose on the same spot. But after the church was relocated to its current site, the plate was removed and placed in storage. The old cornerstone plate will now be a new symbol that can convey the devastation of the atomic bombing to visitors and encourage prayers for a peaceful world.
The cornerstone plate, which appears to be made of granite, is 38 centimeters high and 62 centimeters wide. Originally, the inscription “AD 1927, Showa Ni Nen” (the second year of the Showa period) was engraved on the plate to indicate the year construction began on the building. Since that time, though, the plate cracked into two pieces, possibly as a result of the atomic bombing, and part of the “Ni Nen” (second year) is missing. The plate is now installed on the wall of the front side of the church, along with a board that provides explanation.
Hiroshima Nagarekawa Church was established in Nishidaiku-machi (today’s Eno-machi in Naka Ward) in May 1887. The construction of the church, a reinforced concrete building which later experienced the atomic bombing, was begun in 1927 and completed in 1928. Because the church was located about 900 meters to the east of the hypocenter, the bomb blast destroyed almost the entire building. But part of the outer wall, which bore the cornerstone plate, managed to endure. In 1952, the church was rebuilt, making use of the remaining wall, and the plate was preserved as well. However, in 1971, when the church moved to a new building at its current location, the plate was removed, placed in a wooden box, and then put into storage.
With this year marking the 130th anniversary of the church, the minister and members of the congregation, including A-bomb survivors, proposed that the plate be reinstalled. Mareo Mukai, 57, the minister of the church, expressed his hopes by saying, “This cornerstone plate is a valuable artifact that can help prevent the memories of the atomic bombing from being forgotten. I hope it can help people make deeper prayers for realizing a peaceful world.” On May 7, a service to commemorate the anniversary will take place from 11:45 a.m. and the A-bombed cornerstone plate will be introduced to those in attendance.
(Originally published on May 3, 2017)
