By David Watt

One of the last remaining of its type, this heritage taonga in Pōneke Wellington has been recognised as Category 2 on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero.

The Chinese Mission Hall (Former) has historical significance as one of the last remaining buildings of Wellington’s former Chinatown. In the 1880s, many Chinese goldminers left the depleted goldfields of Te Waipounamu South Island. Some settled in Wellington’s Haining Street and Frederick Street, the heart of an area which became known as ‘Tong Yan Gaai’.  

The Anglican Chinese Mission Hall, designed by nationally significant architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere (1856-1952), opened in 1906 to cater for the needs of this community. 

Miranda Williamson, who prepared the listing report for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, said the Mission Hall was designed to function as both a church and community hall: a place where members of the Chinese community could attend services, learn the gospel, improve their English literacy through the study of Christian religious texts and celebrate Anglican spiritual traditions.   

According to Miranda, “The modest brick building was designed in a relatively plain Gothic revival architectural style. Today the hall has a high level of authenticity as there is still a significant amount of original fabric.” 

Several submissions were received by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in support of the listing of the Chinese Mission Hall (Former), including one from the Wellington Chinese Anglican Mission.

The Rev. Henry Yap said the former Mission Hall, used by the church from 1906 to 1957, has significant historic and cultural value for the Chinese community and Wellington’s history.  

“The other dwellings and structures that existed around the time the building was occupied by the church no longer exist, save for the Tung Jung Association and the Chee Kung Tong,” says Rev. Yap. 

“It is important that the current building remains protected, preserved and maintained as much as possible. It has spiritual and emotional ties to many Chinese in Wellington. There are relatives of many who served, were baptized, married, attended services, had community meetings and memorial services for loved ones in the Mission Hall.” 

The Chinese Mission Hall (Former) was purchased by the Murdoch family in 1956. They leased it first as a photography studio then as a sound studio. From 2009-2012 it was home to the Frederick Street Sound and Light Exploration Society, and between 2023 and 2017 it was a ‘Menzshed’.  

Due to concerns about earthquake risk, it currently sits vacant as the area around it is developed. 

Read the full listing report here.