Mr. Leung bustles about the red-hued room in the top floor of a building a stones throw from the Gates of Harmonious Interest, lighting incense and candles, then preparing tea.
The temple keeper has a routine: after tending to the temple, he finishes with a lengthy yet gentle bang of the gong and drum together to alert the ancestors he’s prepared their offerings and shrines.
Hakka community members Nora Butz and Gayle Nye look on with slight smiles.
The historic temple traces its origins to the 1860s when a Hakka miner placed a statue of deity Tam Kung in a wooden roadside shrine by the Johnson Street ravine, which separated Chinatown from Victoria’s downtown core, explained Butz, president of the Yen Wo Society, which was established to care for the temple.
“Tam Kung is the protector of seafaring peoples. The early pioneer who brought Tam Kung to Canada ... brought Tam Kung to protect him on his ocean voyage,” Butz explained.
When the pioneer left to seek gold rush glory, Hakka speakers took care of the statue, founding the Yen Wo Society in 1905. They created the temple and purchased the property in 1911. A couple of fires and a century later, the temple remains up 52 steps, on the top floor of the building at 1713 Government St.
As Canada’s oldest Chinese temple, in the nation’s oldest Chinatown, it was named a national historic site in February.
Now its members are calling on the community to rally behind its bid to win $50,000 to enhance accessibility, education and cultural preservation. Tam Kung Temple is among 12 finalists competing for the grand prize in the Next Great Save – a National Trust for Canada initiative that helps communities protect cherished heritage places.
The prize relies on fans to vote.
“It’s really important that we try and keep this alive. It’s our culture, it’s our heritage,” Butz said. “A lot of people say, we’ve been here for 150 years, but it’s the best-kept secret in Victoria.”
Funds would help preserve unique artifacts and traditions of Chinese Canadian heritage, enhance accessibility, foster education through new exhibits and school programs, while strengthening community bonds through events and intergenerational programs.
“As the temple nears its 150th anniversary, plans are to build a reception and interpretation centre, so at the top of the stairs … there’s a welcome,” said Nye a volunteer with the temple. “It’s really important to welcome a new and younger generation, and a diverse population here in Greater Victoria, visitors to town and so on, that they have this place to come.”
The reception would serve as a hub for cultural exchange, guided tours and educational outreach.
“For myself, it’s been a step or two in remembering to honour ancestors and the importance of the history of settlement, Chinese Canadian settlement here and how B.C. has grown,” Nye said.
Through Next Great Save, $65,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, including a $50,000 grand prize and two runner-up prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 to support projects that protect, adapt, renew, or improve historic sites across Canada.
Only two of the 12 projects are in B.C.; the other is historic O’Keefe Ranch in Vernon.
Anyone around the world can vote online once a day at https://nextgreatsave.nationaltrustcanada.ca/2025/ now through April 17.
