AAB's Historic Building Appraisal:
Historic Building Appraisal
S.K.H. All Saints’ Cathedral
No. 2 Yim Po Fong Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
Historical Interest
Built in 1928, All Saints’ Church (諸聖堂), now known as All Saints’ Cathedral (諸聖座堂), in No. 2 Yim Po Fong Street (染布房街) is a member of the Anglican Church of Hong Kong, now known as Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (香港聖公會), and belongs to the Diocese of Western Kowloon (西九龍教區). This was the fourth location of the church since its establishment in 1891. Rev. Tsang Kei-ngok (曾紀岳牧師) was the first vicar. All Saints’ Church was one of the two earliest centres of Chinese missionary outreach established on Kowloon Peninsula. It was one of the very few Chinese speaking churches in the early days of Hong Kong.
All Saints’ Church has played an important role in the history of education in Hong Kong. In 1934, a one-storey building was built on the lot of K.I.L. 2625 in Yim Po Fong Street adjacent to the church premises which houses a school and a subsidiary church hall. During the Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1945), the church building was used as the Japanese Officers’ Discussion Centre (官員集議場所). After some disruption to its activities in the Japanese Occupation, church services and schooling were resumed after the war.
Architectural Merit
The church premises comprise a church, a subsidiary church hall, two side extensions, a front hall and a school complex at the rear. The church’s dominant design is Neo-Gothic featuring a bell tower and spire, lancet windows and external buttresses. Internally, it is Neo-Classical featuring arches, columns, beams and moulded cornices. The front hall and south extension are structures with modern appearance bearing triplicated architectural features.
Rarity & Built Heritage Value & Authenticity
All Saints’ Church was said to be one of the earliest centres of Chinese missionary outreach in Kowloon, and it is now the only historical church in Mong Kok. It therefore has considerable rarity and built heritage value. Over the years, the church building has undergone a number of renovations and alterations. For instance, in 1970, the front hall and south extension were built. Again, in 2005, modern new tiles of a different colour were extensively applied to the exteriors of the church building.
Social Value & Local Interest
All Saints’ Church has played an important role in the religious and educational development of Kowloon. From its establishment in the early 1890s it has provided religious and educational services. Today it is an individual parish with a kindergarten, primary and middle schools. The tower and spire can be seen in the midst of the surrounding modern structures. Located at the opposite side of the Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR), the church building is also eye-catching to pedestrians and travellers of the KCR. It is an important local landmark.
Group Value
All Saints’ Church is within walking distance of Shui Yuet Temple (水月宫, Grade 3), Tung Wah Museum (東華三院文物館, Declared Monument) and Kowloon Hospital (九龍醫院, Grade 2 and 3).
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