1900 - Paul Denn

July 20, 1900

Zhujiahe, Hebei

Paul Denn as a young man.

Born at Lille, France, in 1847, Paul Denn grew up a devout Catholic. His father suddenly died when Paul was two, and his mother had to do manual labour in order to being up her five children. Paul’s deep respect for his mother remained with him for the rest of his life. As a boy Denn served as an altar server in the church, and was a member of the St. Vincent’s Charitable Association. Because of his family’s dire poverty, Denn went to work in a bank at the age of 14. As a teenager he would sometimes spend entire nights in prayer and Bible study.

When he was 25-years-old, Denn joined the Society of Jesus and volunteered for service on the mission field. Almost immediately he was assigned to China, arriving at Changjiazhuang in Hebei Province on November 1, 1872. Eight years later he was ordained a priest. Denn commenced a three-year stint as an evangelist, before being appointed Rector of Changjiazhuang College in 1897, and then pastor at Gucheng. One historian says, “No matter what position he held, he was always full of life, filled with zeal for the salvation of souls, and very self-disciplined. His desire for martyrdom was often the subject of letters to his family.”[1]

In the spring of 1900 the Boxers threat intensified, and grave danger drew near. Nevertheless, Denn “continued to preach the Gospel fearlessly. His superior ordered him to leave the area and come to Zhujiahe, where 10,000 troops attacked the village between July 15th and 20th.

The soldiers shot Paul Denn inside the crowded church. Before his final breath, Denn said in a loud voice, “‘Dear people, do not be disturbed. Have a little patience before we all go to heaven’…. Denn was only wounded, and began to crawl around the altar and waited there until the church was burned down. Both priests thus died with their flock, giving witness to their faith.”[2]