S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council
Built in 1953, not graded.
Former Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre.
Historical Interest
In 1932 Ronald Owen Hall (aka R.O.H.) was appointed as the Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong. R.O.H. participated in the coordination and design of the religious, educational, social welfare, and residential complex of Bishop’s Hill.
In 1952 R.O.H. promised to lend the area adjacent to the Bishop’s House to build Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre with $150,000 building cost donated by Mr. Noel Croucher. The Hong Kong Jockey Club promised to subsidize the annual recurrent expenditure of the Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre.
In 1953 the governor of Hong Kong Sir Alexander Grantham and his wife officiated the opening ceremony of the S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council (Former Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre).
Architectural Merit
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council was designed by the office of A.R.F. Raven and the drawings were approved on 16th April 1952 by Building Authority. The office of A.R.F. Raven also designed King Yin Lei, which is a rare surviving example of Chinese Renaissance style that reflected the design and construction excellence in both Chinese and Western architecture of Hong Kong.
The building has a five-storey main hall, a one-storey recreation hall, and a basement. The multi-function main hall includes a probation hostel, reporting center, staff quarter, office, and dining hall. The backside and the left elevation of the building are attached to the Old S.K.H. Kei Yan Primary School (alias Kong Kit Building) (Grade 2) and the main gate of the Bishop’s Hill historical building cluster respectively.
The entrance façade is in Art Deco style featuring a canopy over the entrance, which projects curved balconies at second and third-floor levels. The side elevations have horizontal bands of windows. The walls appear to be constructed of pre-cast reconstituted stone blocks, but maybe finished in grey Shanghai plasters grooved to look like ashlar masonry. The architectural style of the building is believed to be influenced by similar buildings in Chicago and Shanghai.
Rarity & Authenticity
With its dull grey colored façades and factory-style windows, the building has rather a drab appearance; nevertheless, it is a good example of this style of architecture. Many buildings with Shanghai plaster finishes have been painted over so that this building is something of a rarity. As an example of 1950s architecture, it is a period piece and has obvious built heritage value. It seems to retain much of its original authentic appearance.
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council has been little altered since it was built, therefore retains its authenticity. It is a rare, excellent local example of the Art Deco with definite built heritage value. The other remaining architecture is the Old Bank of China (Grade 1) and Saint Louis School (Grade 1).
Social Value & Local Interest
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council is located at a commanding corner site with a narrow front entrance façade splayed across the corner. The building situated at the junctions of Lower Albert Road and Glenealy, facing towards the Hong Kong Fringe Club (Grade 1). The unique scenery and cultural landscape are the collective memory of the Central and Western District residents, more so of the Kei Yan Primary School graduates.
With a history of more than 72 years, the S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council has supported the development of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church) as well as the interaction between Christianity and Hong Kong society. Today, surrounded by commercial and historical buildings, the building stands as testimony to the story of the gospel and the eternally immutable love of God in this blessed land.
Group Value
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council has historical and local interest and also group value being situated alongside Bishop’s House (Grade 1), St. Paul’s Church (Grade 1) and the Old S.K.H. Kei Yan Primary School (originally the south wing of St. Paul’s College, Grade 2).
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council is located at a commanding corner site with a narrow front entrance façade splayed across the corner. The building situated at the junctions of Lower Albert Road and Glenealy, facing towards the Hong Kong Fringe Club (Grade 1). The unique scenery and cultural landscape are the collective memory of the Central and Western District residents, more so of the Kei Yan Primary School graduates.
S.K.H. Diocesan Welfare Council is part of the “Conserving Central” initiatives was announced in 2009-10 Policy Address by chief executive Tsang Yam-kuen. The eight sites mentioned in the initiatives include the Central Government Offices Complex, the Central Market, the Central Police Station Compound, the former French Mission Building, Murray Building, the New Central Harborfront, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Compound (Bishop Hill), and also Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road.
Adaptive Re-Use
The structure and interior of the Hong Kong Juvenile Care Centre are in excellent condition. Adaptive re-use of the building is a revival of the original functionality as a welfare service centre, given its significance in Hong Kong’s community and comprehensive welfare services in Central District.