Temple of Five Gods

The original Ng Shing Gung, or Temple of Five Gods, was constructed in 1888 on Cleveland Avenue near Taylor Street in Heinlenville, and early San Jose Chinatown. Heinlenville consisted of a network of small streets within the block bordered by Sixth, Seventh, Taylor and Jackson streets. The building was constructed by Chinese labor under the direction of Yee Fook. Construction was financed by public subscription for $2000. The building served the Chinese community as a meeting hall, cultural center, school and place of worship. Elaborately carved and gilded alters made in Canton, China were housed on the second floor.

In 1931, the City of San Jose acquired Ng Shing Gung along with the rest of the Heinlenville property. Most of the buildings were torn down to make way for the construction of a City maintenance facility. In 1949 Ng Shing Gung was also dismantled. The altar furnishings and a portion of the facade were preserved and placed in storage by the City. In the early 1970s, these artifacts were moved to storage at the San Jose Historical Museum in Kelly Park and became part of the Museum Collection. A replica of the Ng Shing Gung building was included in the Museum Master Plan in 1972.

The Chinese community, desiring to preserve their heritage, formed the non-profit Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) to reconstruct Ng Shing Gung as an exhibit building focusing on the history and culture of the Chinese in Santa Clara Valley. In 1988 CHCP entered into formal contract with the City of San Jose and raised over $600,000 from the community in support of the project. The building and the exhibits were dedicated on September 29, 1991, and are a gift to the community and all its visitors from the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project.

This sign was made possible by the San Jose Historical Museum Association Endowment Fund.

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