Conserved Building
124 Sims Avenue
Applicable Guidelines
Other Building Guidelines
Conservation Area
Mun San Fook Tuck Chee Temple Conservation Area
Historic address: 124 Sims Avenue
Mun San Fook Tuck Chee Temple
About
The Mun San Fook Tuck Chee temple was established in the 1860s by Cantonese migrants. It settled at the current site at Sims Drive in 1902 when the temple trustees purchased land for its construction at the bank of Kallang River. The temple possibly derived its name from Kallang River which was also known as Mun San Kong (万山港). As one of the oldest surviving Cantonese temples in Singapore, it is also a remaining marker of the early settlement known as 'Sar Kong' village where the inhabitants worked in nearby brick kilns and various types of workshops.
The History
Other than a spiritual refuge for devotees, the temple also performed social functions in the 1950s and 1960s. The Sar Kong Vigilante Corps conducted patrols to guard and protect the community. The temple also set up the Mong Yang Chinese School and the Sar Kong Athletic Association. While the school no longer exists, the Athletics Association still operates out from the temple, actively promoting the traditional arts of Lion and Dragon Dancing.
The Building
The original temple was built in typical Cantonese temple architecture - a three bay construction with triple gable end walls expressed on each side and three rows of halls. Each bay is divided into three spaces consisting of an entrance hall, an antechamber in the main bay and courtyard in the side bays, as well as the main hall.
Characteristic of Cantonese architecture, it is simple in form with minimal ornamentation compared to other heritage temples. temple has Although the temple had undergone some repair works over the years, the basic qualities of Cantonese style of architecture is still evident.
The Legacy
The temple will will continue to be a significant local identity marker that promotes its heritage to the wider community through its heritage gallery (set up in 2013), publications, and cultural practices such as Cantonese opera and fire dragon dance held during the birthday celebrations of the God of the Earth.
Guidelines and Procedures
All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.
Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.
Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved building are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA's review.
Explore Street View
The building can be found at this street.