Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital and Kwong Fook Tsz to be considered as monuments

The Antiquities Advisory Board will discuss in a meeting Thursday afternoon a proposal to designate two historic buildings as declared monuments, including the Main Building of Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital in Sai Ying Pun and Kwong Fook Tsz in Sheung Wan.

First Chinese maternity hospital in town

The Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, with a history of over a century, was established by the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee and opened its doors in 1922 as the first Chinese maternity hospital in Hong Kong.

To meet the increasing demand for maternity services after the war, the hospital relocated to a new site on Hospital Road in 1955. The original hospital building was repurposed as a community center from 1961 to 1971, named the "Tsan Yuk Social Centre," and later renamed the "Western District Community Centre" in 1973. Today, the Main Building of the former hospital complex continues to provide public healthcare and community services.

Highly authentic

According to official documents, the Main Building of the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital is considered a landmark structure. Standing at four stories with a basement, the building features a blend of Neoclassical architecture with Chinese elements.

The red brick exterior is built on a plinth composed of coursed rubble, while the bricks are laid in English bond with quoins to accentuate the wall corners and give the building its visual character. 

Facing Western Street, the front elevation of the building is symmetrical in design with a granite portico at the center surmounted by an open pediment over the main entrance, which is flanked by two pairs of Tuscan columns.

The granite lintel and panels were inscribed by Chan Pak-tao and Lai Tsi-hsi, both Qing officials and scholars.

The documents suggested that there are few remaining buildings associated with the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee and is a rare and significant witness to the development of the maternity profession in Hong Kong’s history.

It also noted that all building features are still preserved in good condition and confirm the
high level of the building’s authenticity.

130-year-old Kwong Fook Tsz

As for Kwong Fook Tsz, originally called Kwong Fook I Tsz in the early decades and commonly known today as Pak Shing Temple, it was built in Sheung Wan in 1895.

Official documents noted that it is historically significant as it demonstrates the inseparable ties and cohesion among the Chinese community during the early British administration period and also stands as an embodiment of traditional Chinese beliefs about death.

The temple served as a place to house soul tablets for Chinese workers who passed away in Hong Kong. Apart from enshrining the main deity Ksitigarbha, the temple also houses deities and artifacts from other temples, including Chai Kung, Shui Ching Pak and Tai Sui.