The Hong Kong government cement a crucial milestone in preserving the city’s rich, layered history last week by formally declaring two century-old edifices in the Western District as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. The decision, gazetted on January 30 by the Antiquities Authority, grants the Main Building of the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital in Sai Ying Pun and Kwong Fook Tsz in Sheung Wan protected status, ensuring the survival of these sites that narrate key aspects of colonial-era public health, social welfare, and Chinese heritage. This addition underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to recognizing the historical contributions of these architecturally humble but reputationally significant structures amidst its gleaming modern skyline.
New Monuments Reflect Diverse Social History
The two designated structures, both dating back over a century, offer compelling insights into the evolving social landscape of Hong Kong Island’s Western District.
Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital Main Building: A Legacy of Maternal Care
Opened in 1922 on Western Street, the Main Building of the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital played an integral role in early 20th-century public health initiatives. Established by the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee (CPDC), this facility was specifically dedicated to providing essential maternity services for the local Chinese population.
Beyond direct patient care, the hospital functioned as a vital training hub, where traditional Chinese midwives received instruction in modern nursing methodologies. This collaborative approach between Chinese and Western medical professionals was instrumental in advancing maternity health standards and empowering women through education. Architecturally, the building is notable for its durable construction, featuring a prominent red-brick façade set upon a coursed rubble plinth and accented by a distinguished granite portico entrance. While maternity services relocated in 1955, the structure has served continuously as a vital community hub since 1961, first as the Tsan Yuk Social Centre and now as the Western District Community Centre.
Kwong Fook Tsz: The Cradle of Welfare and Benevolence
Located on the quiet Tai Ping Shan Street, Kwong Fook Tsz (also known as Pak Shing Temple) holds a profound place in the city’s social history, predating its fellow monument by nearly three decades. Constructed in 1895 with funds raised by prominent Chinese merchants and the emerging elite, the initial purpose of Kwong Fook Tsz was profoundly compassionate: it served as a benevolent space where soul tablets for deceased migrant workers, unable to return to their ancestral homes, could be respectfully housed.
This humanitarian function soon expanded to include providing essential aid to the sick, the homeless, and the elderly. Sadly, the poor standards of hygiene within this “Chinese hospital” eventually forced the government’s hand. This desperation among the local population for accessible medical services served as the direct impetus for the establishment of the internationally renowned Tung Wah Hospital in 1870. The current structure of Kwong Fook Tsz was subsequently rebuilt following a massive bubonic plague outbreak in the area. Its enduring architectural layout and unique dual role—combining spiritual sanctuary, ancestral preservation, and early community welfare—distinguishes it among Hong Kong’s surviving temples.
Preserving the Tangible Past
The inclusion of these two structures significantly bolsters the growing roster of preserved historical monuments across Hong Kong. These centuries-old buildings stand as tangible records, illustrating the city’s evolution from a colonial outpost to a modern metropolis, highlighting the interplay between different cultures, and demonstrating the earliest efforts in public health and community support systems.
Both newly declared monuments are open to the public, offering residents and visitors alike an opportunity to connect directly with the city’s profound past. Detailed opening hours and visitor information for both the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital Main Building and Kwong Fook Tsz are available on the official website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO). Hong Kong continues to safeguard these architectural witnesses, ensuring their narratives are accessible to future generations.
