Taiwan's Tong-Kwang LGBT Church Announces Relocation to New Sanctuary and Healing Prayer Following Gay Bar Raid
In October 2026, Asia’s oldest inclusive Christian congregation, Taiwan’s Tong-Kwang Light House Presbyterian Church in Taipei, announced the dedication of its new permanent sanctuary and an upcoming thanksgiving communion service. Marking its 30th anniversary milestone, the parish also confirmed its role as a co-organizer of the upcoming 24th Taiwan Pride and introduced a special petition into its liturgical prayer, asking for healing and reconciliation in society following a controversial police raid on the Taipei gay venue Commander D.
According to the official weekly bulletin of Tong-Kwang Church, the congregation will hold a dedication service and inclusive communion at its new premises in Taipei’s Songshan District on November 1, 2026, followed by a fellowship meal for local members and visiting pride participants. As part of its autumn program, the church is relaunching the historic Jonathan Fellowship for the study of queer theology and preparing for the 24th Taiwan Pride on October 31 under the theme “Listen Together, Walk Together.” The parish council also acknowledged financial challenges, noting that the move and higher rental costs coincided with a slight decrease in regular tithes and youth engagement.
The parish bulletin paid particular attention to social tensions in the capital ahead of Pride Month. In its corporate prayer, the church included a plea regarding the recent law enforcement operation in Ximending, praying that God would “soothe the hurt and division caused by the Wanhua police precinct’s search of the gay bar” and foster an environment of genuine peace, mutual respect, and dignity for all individuals.
Tong-Kwang Presbyterian Church (meaning “Light Together”) was founded in May 1996 by the late Reverend Yang Ya-hui and members of the Jonathan Fellowship. It became the first openly affirming church for LGBTQ+ Christians in Taiwan and the broader Chinese-speaking world. Over three decades, the congregation has advocated for sexual and gender minority equality within religious circles and played a prominent spiritual role leading up to Taiwan’s historic legalization of same-sex marriage in 2019.
Previously, Urania reported on the recent incident in the capital: Taipei police raided the Commander D gay bar and detained 51 patrons, sparking human rights demonstrations, official reprimands for six officers, and a public apology from Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. The publication also covered Taipei’s extension of equal municipal tax exemptions to married same-sex couples.
