The 1976 Tangshan earthquake also caused some damage . The two front shock towers at the base of the dome were severely damaged , and the repairs to the base did not begin until 1979 . They were completed in the Fall of 1980 when the official opening was celebrated . In August 1991 , August , Xikai was listed on Tianjin 's cultural relics protection list . As of today , the church is still the largest Catholic Church in the Tianjin metropolitan area
1976 Tangshan earthquake
1976 Tangshan earthquake
St. Joseph Cathedral (Tianjin)