Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港中華基督教青年會) is a social and charity institution in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1901.[1] It operates several major facilities such as the Wu Kai Sha Youth Village.

YMCA Kowloon Centre logo
Bridges Street Centre

History

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong was founded in 1918 by Fok Hing-tong, wife of Cantonese Christian businessman Ma Ying-piu.[2] Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong is different from YMCA of Hong Kong. They are two independent organisations in Hong Kong, both traced back to the same YMCA in England but founded differently and provide different directions of service.

Bridges Street location

In 1915, architecture firm Shattuck and Hussey was hired by the Chinese YMCA to design its new Bridges Street location and construction began in 1917. The design was typical of the firm's work and indicative of the Chicago School style. It included Hong Kong's first indoor swimming pool, gymnasium with a mezzanine running track, and a variety of conference rooms.[3]

Upon its opening, hosted classes, workshops and lectures for Hong Kong men. In 1941, Japanese forces gained control of the building. In 1966, Chinese YMCA relocated to Waterloo Road in Yau Ma Tei and the building was adapted for use as a hostel and educational purposes.[3]

In 1979, Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) gave the building a Grade II which was upgraded to Grade I in 2009.[3]

  • Chinese YMCA Kowloon Centre
    Chinese YMCA Kowloon Centre
  • New Territories Centre
    New Territories Centre
  • Harbourview International House hotel
    Harbourview International House hotel
  • The Cityview Hotel
    The Cityview Hotel

References
  1. McPherson, Sue (Fulham) (2006). "J.L. McPherson: Hong Kong YMCA General Secretary, 1905-1935" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 46: 39–58. ISSN 1991-7295.
  2. John Fitzgerald Big White Lie: Chinese Australians in White Australia 2007 - Page 204 "Ma's wife Huo Qingtang founded the Hong Kong branch of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in 1918, and two years later was elected founding.."
  3. Dewolf, Christopher (2021-11-16). "Hong Kong's Colonial Heritage: The Chinese YMCA' s Chicago Roots". Zolima City Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
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