Founded in 1928, Confucius Hall Hong Kong is dedicated to the development of Confucianism, promulgation of world culture, and the promotion of education to all children of Hong Kong in preparation for the next generation of leaders in Hong Kong and beyond.
民國初年,政局動蕩。香港當時為英國殖民地,成為國內外舊學宿儒,新學西潮聚集發展之地。以平等法律,推動社會正面風氣為首任,香港孔聖堂八十年來致力于弘揚儒學,推動中外文化交流。於1928年,由曾富先生和簡孔昭先生發起,召集百數有志之士, 共同成立孔聖堂。簡孔昭先生慨然捐出加路連山道十二萬平方呎地作為堂址,亦即孔聖堂中學現有校址, 興建孔聖講堂,建築仿照山東孔子古廟,於1935年12月10日正式開幕。而當時溥儀皇帝的老師温肅,還送了一份清末進士殿試未完卷真蹟給簡孔昭,答謝他捐地建堂。孔聖堂推廣儒學不遺餘力,興學育才, 有教無類。於1939年開辦兒童健康院,免收學費,且供食宿,惜因二次大戰,終於1941年停辦。
在2020年6月,孔聖講堂被古物諮詢委員會評為一級歷史建築,建築風格實用而優雅,地下斜坡的設計,可以造就所有觀眾可以望見禮堂中央,而樓上的超等位,每一張椅子也是古董,是按照亞洲人身材而設計。柱與樓板交接位,有一些中式雀替是結構混凝土,天花板透過一些玉如意的裝飾是通氣口。曾經在孔聖講堂演講的也是碩學鴻儒,包括郭沫若、茅盾、錢穆、唐君毅、饒宗頤、甚至魯迅的追思會,都是在這裡舉行,當時許地山教授負責當主持,蕭紅就介紹魯迅先生的事跡。
摘自香港孔聖堂網頁 / Excerpt from HK Confucius Hall website
民國十七年,簡孔昭先生提倡孔道,未獲適宜地點以為宣揚講學,欲籌建一所孔聖文廟,附設孔聖講堂,幸得各界社會賢達允為贊助,孔昭先生自願捐出加路連山道吉地一段,約110,000餘尺以為建築孔聖文廟之用,即時成立孔聖堂籌辦處,徵求我建造商會派代表參加擔當建築責任,蒙各董事不以弟為不才,公推鄙人代表與會,孔昭先生委派弟設計繪圖,建一孔聖文廟,形式照廣府學宮,弟將繪説文廟圖內有《玉振金星牌樓》泮池,前座兩廳 東廳先賢40位,西廳先賢39位,東廳先儒33位,西廳先儒35位,中座大成殿,正座孔聖,分左右四配12哲,後座啟聖殿,乃孔子之先祖考妣及五配五賢。
圖則交予厘安倫治則師照繪,當時各界捐款只得八萬餘元,開闢地盤及打樁石礦等工程預算要八萬元 即將該地授興工建築,委派弟為監理工程,定楊發利開闢地盤及石壆工程, 定建新承辦打石矢樁地盤工程,已告厥成 已用去七萬餘元,而文廟上蓋工程預算亦要十餘萬元方能完竣,奈因捐款已用罄,不能繼續接辦,後因該地段建築上蓋期限已過,政府催促建築上蓋,如無力建築上蓋 愚被政府將地段充公,是以孔昭先生與弟洽商,托弟設計從速繪孔聖堂之圖則,預算五萬元,孔昭先生即答允他個人捐款開辦,弟即將繪就孔聖堂圖則交予厘柯倫治則師,轉呈公務司批准,建昌建造廠號取價最? ,定建昌承辦,亦委弟為監理工程,以滿足政府賣地章程所限之上蓋工程費,建築工程約五萬餘元,乃孔昭先生個人捐款,其熱心可嘉,各建堂總理,僉以為該設立碑銘於堂前,以紀念其尊翁簡朗山公專仰孔道之誠也。
迨至民國24年12月10號,舉行開幕典禮,蒙華文政務司史美先生主持(茲將其在開幕典禮中之演示錄後)
摘自1954年香港建造商會年刊 / Excerpt from 1954 Year Book of HK Construction Association
文中提到簡孔昭先生捐獻加路連山道一幅1萬余尺的地段, 委孔聖堂籌辦處與建造商會洽談派員參與建築工程, 譚肇康被推為代表,獲簡孔昭先生委設計繪圖。 譚肇康按“文廟圖”內“準則設計,圖則交李柯倫治則師照繪。譚肇康為工程監理。因工程耗費, 上蓋工程逾期仍無法展開, 簡孔昭再與譚肇康洽談, 以個人捐款5萬, 托譚肇康繪畫圖則。 1935 年12月10日開幕 由**華民政務司史美主持。
民國廿四年十二月十日孔聖堂開幕
簡孔昭先生致詞原文如下:
今日為孔聖講堂舉行開門典禮 幸蒙華民政務司史美親臨主禮 又蒙本港政界各長官曁紳商學工各界諸君 欣然 女止 濟濟一堂 鄙人與辦事同人不勝感謝之至 但此堂之來歷不可不為諸君之言 回憶民國17年時 鄙人偶遇曾富君晤談 曾富先生謂日人肉橫流 不守信義以致蕩檢踰閒 寡廉鮮耻之事無奇不有 非極力提倡孔道不足以挽救人心 鄙人當時見得曾富先生已7七十餘歳老翁尚且有此熱誠 關心世道 鄙人不過為之感動 因言鄙人有地一段在加路連山道 計約有100,000如英尺 曾君老成汪重 如能徵得大眾同意 願將該地道捐出以為建孔聖堂及講堂之用 曾君聞之大喜 故不避寒暑 不憚辛勞 奔走徵求各界同意 幸得多數人贊同允為贊助 又適家夫子竹居因事過港 經將此事與之詳細商量 家夫子不獨贊成且催促辦理 自願代為作碑文以資提倡 故即于此時成立孔聖堂籌辦處 衆人在初次會議發揮偉論 以為建築孔聖堂為形式上之基礎建設 講堂以宣揚孔道為事實 并謂有形式然後有事實 二者互相並行方為盡善盡美 將來孔聖堂建築既成 則崇奉孔子先師及四配七十二言等 但必要建築規模宏偉 令人見之而景仰 再種花木為公園 本港人士工餘之睱 藉此園林新鮮空氣 為憩息之所 又能引起尊聖道之心 是以正心養生一舉兩得。香港乃南北内外出入必經之區 華商雲集 既富且庶 不可無此公眾娛樂 之塲 即外埠華僑歸國 既可為遊覽之地 且感觸其好道之心 講堂既設必定聘諸名流 時常演講 以體孔聖誨人不倦之心 但孔子之道 至正至大乃倫常日用所必需 正所謂不可一日無之 無論男女老友皆可聽之 得之於心 然後處世辦事方有主宰 况至人乃人倫之至 少年子第亦多入為主 更要多聽 將來立身處世受益良多 然此演講此無近工 但行日久 自然潛移默化 希望將來化行俗美 對於地方社會下固佳 即對個人本身亦受益不少 會議既畢 全體喜躍贊同 於是發起勸捐 同人等自動勇力不避 辛勞不支 出入費用向各界勸捐 又蒙報界諸君隨時勸勉 然後得蒙各界多數解囊捐助 將地割出并將前戊申六月至辛未年六月止 由鄙人墊支籌辦處之開辦費 將該數請正式核數員核妥無訛 期內墊支實數為一萬四千九百二十一零六仙 其後興功進行 有賴建造行擔任譚肇康 均不憚辛勞 及至昨年地盤地腳已告厥成 惟是政府例限制已過期催促建築上蓋 但存款以罄 至昨年司理報告 但以無建築物為人所建 故不敢再事勸捐 事在兩難之際 鄙人默念先君朗山公在生日常以孔聖之道 開導勉勵 鄙人可見其平素尊仰孔聖道之心 甚篤鄙人 願將墊支開班費 撥出五萬元為個人捐款 由是出年重陽 輕功但仍賴各界 群策群力 竭力維持成此善舉 且獲曹善允博士 周俊年君及紳商學工界等實力提倡 並隨時指示 又得葉蘭泉君始終幫忙 鄙人殊深欽佩並祝中華民國萬歲 孔聖堂萬歲 同人萬歲
簡孔昭先生的開幕致詞特別感謝譚肇康的支持。
簡孔昭 (Kan Hung Chiu)
1905年簡照南兄弟二人籌集資金,在友人的幫助下,於香港創辦了廣東南洋煙草公司。因受英美煙草公司打擊而于1908年倒閉的南洋煙草公司, 1909年2月16日第二次正式營業。改組後的南洋煙草公司,簡家居絕大多數股份,其中簡照南、簡玉階兄弟占47%,另一兄弟簡孔昭占47%。1909年公司推出「紅雙喜」香煙。1916年公司在上海設廠,接著在黃河、長江流域、華南沿海十三個大中城市及新加坡、泗水、暹邏等地設立分支機構。「肇輝」是簡孔昭的字,是重組後的南洋煙草公司個人最大股東,是創辦人簡照南和簡玉階昆仲的堂兄弟。簡氏家族簡孔昭購入灣仔司徒拔道其中一條支路地段,並將該處山坡改造成平臺發展住宅。肇輝臺因此以他命名(簡孔昭,字肇輝)。
民國廿四年十二月十日孔聖堂正式開幕 由史美先生主禮 斯時史美先生任華民政務司即現任輔政司之史美先生也 其原詞如下:
男女諸君 余今日得來此處華麗堂所行開幕禮 深覺榮幸 鄙意以為港中華人久已經需要此等敘集地點 以避免商場戲院等煩擾之空氣 以供集會及演講 余支持堂將交由信託人辦理 此信託人須曾在以局或慈善機關為各界服務者方能當選 余讚美創辦人之嚴明果斷 深信將來必獲成績 必能圓滿與公平 可謂預告者也 簡先生已曾述及此堂計劃之原起及經過 余知曹博士將向余等演講孔教主義及何謂孔教主義 更進一步而講述何謂非孔教主義 因此之故 余欲稍向題外畧述數言 余料多年以來至近時止 中西有識之士感覺中國國內驟然拋棄舊有學術及相沿習慣 認為具有危險曾作保守之熱烈運動 從本港方面觀察 國人咸料新興科學將使類似激烈主義事件發生 但竟有非常良好現象 各位亦必認為事實 現在此種傾向於教育上較為易見 余相信廣州及中國其他各處須趨向捨棄舊有文章 但余等須在本港竭力將之保存 且此堂落成之日 適有一重要之揍巧事 即本港大學同時由許教授成立中文學院是也 中文學院將用最新方法教授舊文學 余等希望此學院不久可成為全球上最高之中文教授處 也當此堂之成立 正表示舊學術在此處尚受敬重 及中文學院之完成亦表示舊文學得以保留存在 然於此時期適有一不幸之事 本港大學雖極力樽節尚在 財政困難之中 即謂本港數年後需要考慮可否仍經將大學維持 亦非過甚之言 茲余有所貢獻 此堂之用途莫善於酌量若何以之應付如此局面 是則對於遵從孔聖遺訓較為切近 尤有進者 則各界人士之中有一部分較為重要 應請加入此種運動 余意即謂中國之退隱官員樂居此土者 其人苟非文學家亦必尊尚文學 且此土所立稅項比環球多處為輕也 如果只撥捐款予中文學院而不將基金撥給作為全部大學之用 誠熟危險 余只可說(一)如無大學則中文學院顯然不能存在(二)如孔聖仍在 亦必欲余等知大堯大舜 對於事實之理 想又必說築路之工程及療病之醫生較為重要 此則洵謀僉同也男女諸君余極歡欣宣布孔聖講堂開幕云
民國24年12月10日孔聖講堂開幕致詞如下:
今日本堂開幕蒙 華文政務司憲 史美先生主持典禮深為榮幸 本席僅代表本堂值理敬致謝意 簡孔昭君為宣揚孔道 將該地段約120,000方尺捐出 復出資首倡建築本堂 其好義樂善殊足稱頌 而本堂對華人社會亦將有無窮之貢獻也 本人僅承此機會對孔子遺教畧致數言 夫孔子為萬世師表 歷代軍民同心愛戴 不因時代知變更已有所異 吾人讀孔孟書便可瞭然於孔子的性格及其義理 孔子曰有朋自遠方來不亦樂乎 又曰四海之內皆兄弟也 由此吾人足見其胸襟之廣闊矣 當時人民稱之為聖孔子不敢接受 乃曰餘學而不厭誨而不倦耳 其謙遜又可想見 孔子同時為一心理學家 其教徒方法各因其個性而異 一日孔子與弟子語問如何為人 孔子答諸弟子曰 要濟世忠於友慈幼 其愛群之心於焉可見 政治上孔子主張民治主義 其授徒均根據史實 故其亦屬唯物主義者 孔子述堯舜魚禹湯文武為賢明人君 能為人民謀福利之君主 在孔子以前本已有陪審思想 而孔子更認為天下皆曰可殺然後殺之 有人或以此2500年歷史之孔子學說為太舊 不合今世潮流 其實孔子思想是進步的 求真理的 蓋其主張格物致之明理者 也有人又謂孔子為一宗教 實質在漢民中從無對宗教字義的適當解釋 教之一字最近之意思為教人 在中庸中對教一字有相當之意義 其意指知識之路也 總而言之孔教在使人明德修行 闡明人對人及人對天之關係 本人相信研究孔道 不特不令人之思想有偏所料 更足對其所信仰之宗教更為認識云云
曹善允,CBE,LLD,JP(Ts'o Seen-wan,1868年11月10日-1953年1月20日),香港律師、政治家和紳商,1929年至1937年任立法局非官守議員,另曾任潔淨局議員、團防局紳、香港大學校董、華人公立醫局委員會副主席和港府教育委員會委員等公職。
早年先後在上海和英國受教的曹善允,對香港20世紀初的教育和醫療發展起重要貢獻,他是香港大學、聖士提反書院、聖士提反女子中學、金文泰中學和民生書院等學府的創校人及籌款人之一,也曾多次為聖保羅書院籌募經費;此外,他又參與創辦雅麗氏紀念產科醫院、何妙齡醫院、以及在1922年與歐海倫醫生合作創辦贊育醫院。曹善允在1915年和1916年間在華人社區推動種痘運動,後在1925年省港大罷工期間設法維持社會秩序,深獲港府肯定,屢獲殊勳。
在1912年,何啟爵士與區德合組啟德營業有限公司,銳意在九龍灣填海,計劃興建稱之為啟德濱的「花園城市」。但何啟淡出後,填海計劃由本身是公司董事之一的曹善允繼續主持,並成功爭取港府在1915年批准填海計劃。共分三期的啟德填海計劃在1916年正式展開,雖然啟德公司完成了首兩期填海,然而,第三期填海卻無疾而終。為免填海計劃泡湯,港府在1927年宣佈接手第三期填海,並收回已填海但尚未發展的土地,整個地段日後逐漸發展,成為香港啟德國際機場。
籌建孔聖堂将興工
香港函 籌建孔聖堂辦事處 七日開幹事會議 到會者凡千餘人 两時半開會 公推盧湘父為臨時主席 首由書記宣讀上期議案 眾認為合 主席旋請衆發議 首由葉蘭泉起會 謂本堂之地則 現則師 厘柯倫治已劃妥交回 請各位参觀 再由籌建建築專員譚肇康詳细解説 經衆研究 甚為满意 主席付表决 一致贊成通過 不日便可投票興工。
Reported by South China Morning Post in 1935
CONFUCIOUS HALL
Novel Building Near Completion
AT CAROLINE HILL
The new Confucius Hall, embodying many architectural features of Chinese design, erected on Caroline Hill, will be completed within a fortnight.
The building is opposite the South China Athlete Association ground and will have accommodation for 750 people in the main hall. There will also be a crush hall.
The building consists of a main hall, with balcony over and a second floor constructed over the front part of the building. This room will be used as a library. There is also an interesting granite balustrade rounding the building and carried out in Chinese style.
Occupying an area of 5,400 square feet, the building will have a height from the ground floor level to the eaves of the library of 50? feet.
It is a reinforced concrete frame building with concrete roof covered with tile.
The ceiling of the hall is lined with celotex panels for acoustic properties.
A smaller building has been erected and will comprise the kitchen and caretaker's quarters. This is apart from the main building.
The Confucius Hall is erected on Inland Lot 2257 and the architect are Messrs. Leigh and Orange (利安 或厘柯倫治). The contractors are Messrs. Kin Cheong. (建昌)
[香港開電視-小事大意義]孔聖講堂:孔聖講堂為一級歷史建築 建築風格實用而優雅
Historical Interest
Standing on retaining walls built of dressed granite blocks, the main building and staff quarters of Confucius Hall Hong Kong (香港孔聖堂) at No. 77 Caroline Hill Road were completed in 1935. Two occupation permits were issued by the Building Authority on 3 October 1935 to certify the completion of the “Confucius Lecture Hall” and “quarters”. Its name in Chinese, 孔聖講堂, literally meaning Confucius lecture hall, was inscribed on the front elevation of the main building when it was built, although it is more commonly known as Confucius Hall in English.1 Foundation works commenced in October 1932, whereas the construction of the lecture hall itself began in September 1934. Confucius Hall was formally opened on 10 December 1935, with the then Secretary for Chinese Affairs, the Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith as an officiating guest at the opening ceremony.
The construction of Confucius Hall as a public place and community hall for the reverence of Confucius (孔子, 550 – 478 B.C.) demonstrated the great enthusiasm and efforts of Confucian believers, including prominent businessmen and leading figures of the Chinese community, together with scholars and retired officials from mainland China, in their advocacy for the revival of Confucianism amid the strong tides of modern science on the Mainland and in Hong Kong during the early twentieth century. Confucianism was indeed only one of the schools of thought that the supporters of traditional Chinese culture endeavoured to advocate. 2 Apart from Confucius Hall Hong Kong (founded in 1928), there were another three major Confucian societies in the city, namely the Hong Kong Confucius Society (香港孔聖 會, founded in 1909), Confucian Association of China (中華聖教總會, founded in 1921) and The Confucian Academy (孔教學院, founded in 1930). 3 All these four societies are still operating today.
The construction of Confucius Hall was initiated by Tsang Foo (曾富) 4 and Kan Hung-chiu (簡孔昭), 5 who thought it important to erect a prominent building embodying Confucianism. The proposal was endorsed at the first formal meeting held in April 1928. In the same meeting, Kan Hung-chiu initiated the project by donating a plot of land, of around 120,000 square feet, on Caroline Hill Road for the building of Confucius Hall. Moreover, a preparatory committee composed of notable businessmen and community leaders was formed. Members included Sir Robert Ho Tung (何東, 1862 – 1956), Tso Seen-wan (曹善允, 1868 – 1953), Tsang Foo (曾富, 1861 – ?), Yau Lit (尢列), Li Yik-mui (李亦梅, c.1877 – 1957), etc.
1 For instance, the main building was referred to as Confucius Hall in the English newspapers of the 1930s and 1950s. The current land records show that it is”孔聖講堂” in Chinese and Confucius Hall in English.
2 The promotion of the respect for traditional Chinese culture was also shown by the establishment of the School of Chinese of The University of Hong Kong (香港大學中文學院) in 1927 and construction of Fung Ping Shan Library (馮平山圖書館, now known as Fung Ping Shan Building 馮平山樓) in 1931 (opened in 1932) for the Chinese book collection of the university, for instance.
3 The current addresses of the three Confucian societies are set out below: (i) Hong Kong Confucius Society (香港孔聖會) at Room 1201, Bonham Centre, Nos. 79 – 85 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan; (ii) Confucian Association of China (中華聖教總會) at Unit B, 3/F, Shun Fat Building, Nos. 72 – 76 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong; and (iii)The Confucian Academy (孔教學院) at No. 10 Tai Shing Street, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
4 Tsang Foo, also known as Tsang Siu-wing (曾兆榮), a native of Xiangshan (香山) of Guangdong Province, was born in 1861. N349
Hung-chiu (簡孔昭), 5 who thought it important to erect a prominent building embodying Confucianism. The proposal was endorsed at the first formal meeting held in April 1928. In the same meeting, Kan Hung-chiu initiated the project by donating a plot of land, of around 120,000 square feet, on Caroline Hill Road for the building of Confucius Hall. Moreover, a preparatory committee composed of notable businessmen and community leaders was formed. Members included Sir Robert Ho Tung (何東, 1862 – 1956), Tso Seen-wan (曹善允, 1868 – 1953), Tsang Foo (曾富, 1861 – ?), Yau Lit (尢列), Li Yik-mui (李亦梅, c.1877 – 1957), etc.
Revolutionist Yau Lit wrote a manifesto (宣言) on the construction of Confucius Hall.6
In February 1929, the second general meeting was held. A committee was set up to organize subscriptions to implement the proposal. The committee was composed of other well-known businessmen and community leaders, including Sir Shouson Chow (周壽臣, 1861 – 1959), Sir Robert Kotewall (羅旭龢, 1880 – 1949), Tso Seen-wan and Chau Tsun-nin (周埈年, 1893 – 1971) were elected to form a presidium (主席團), while Ip Lan-chuen (葉蘭泉, 1865 – 1946) was elected the Secretary; Li Yau-chuen (李右泉, 1861 – 1940), Chau Tsun-nin, Tsang Foo, Lui Yum-suen (雷蔭蓀, 1876 – 1953), Kan Hung-chiu etc. the Money Collectors (勸捐 員); Tang Shiu-kin (鄧肇堅, 1901 – 1986), Chau Tsun-nin, Leung But-yu (梁弼 予, ? – 1954 ), Au Lim-chuen (區廉泉, c.1868 – 1958) etc., the Money Keeper (接收 捐款員), and Li Yau-chuen, Tang Shiu-kin (鄧肇堅, 1901 – 1986), Au Lim-chuen, etc. the Treasurers (司庫員).7 By around October 1929, $80,000 was subscribed.
He went to Yokohama (橫濱) in Japan to earn his living as a merchant. Later he returned to Hong Kong and opened “曾富洋煤 公司” selling imported coal and a 成昌雜貨鋪 providing ship’s supplies. He had a beautiful garden in his villa Nam Fung Terrace (南豐臺), also known as Tsang Foo Villa (曾富別墅), near Kowloon City, and made use of this garden for charitable affairs. For example, a bazaar was established in the garden. The receipts from the bazaar were contributed to the relief for the famine in Tianjian (天津). He also established a school in the garden for provincial students and free schools for the children of the poor in Kowloon. Confucius classics were taught there. The existing statue of Pak Tai at Yuk Hui Temple (玉虛宮) in Lung On Street (隆安街), Wan Chai (declared monument) was bought from Guangdong by Tsang Foo in the early twentieth century, and was enshrined in his villa until it was demolished in the mid-20th century. Tsang was also a founder a charitable organisation named Chung Sing Benevolent Society (鐘聲慈善社). As a president of the society, he made generous donation for the famine reliefs during the floods in Tianjian, the typhoon at Swatow (汕頭) and the floods in Guangdong Province (東西北三 江水災). Tsang was also a member of the Boards of Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital (東華醫院, 1922-1923) and Po Leung Kuk (保良局, 1921 - 1922).
5 Kan Hung-chiu assisted in the family business of the Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company (南洋兄弟煙草公司).
6 Yau Lit, Yeung Hok-ling (楊鶴齡), Chan Siu-pak (陳少白) and Dr Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙) often got together to discuss overthrowing the Qing dynasty, and were therefore called the “Four Desperados” (四大寇).
7 These founding members of Confucius Hall, though only to name some, were past members or chairmen of the Boards of Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital (東華醫院, renamed Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (東華三院) in 1931) and/ or Po Leung Kuk (保良局), etc. Sir Shouson Chow, Sir Robert Kotewell and Tso Seen-wan were Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council (定例局) and Chau Tsun-nin a member of the Sanitary Board (潔淨局). Lui Yum-suen was one of the founders of The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (香港中華總商會). He also served on the Board of Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital in 1917/1918 and 1926/1927, and that of Po Leung Kuk in 1918/1919, and was the chairman of Chung Sing Benevolent Society (鐘聲慈善社), etc.
A committee for general affairs (總務值理) of some 100 members was also 3 formed. Members included businessmen and philanthropists like Tsang Foo, Sir Robert Ho Tung (何東, 1862 – 1956), Li Yik-mui (李亦梅), Ngan Shing-kwan (顏成 坤, 1903 – 2001), Au Lim-chuen, etc., as well as notable scholars of the then Qing dynasty, namely Chen Huanzhang (陳煥章, 1880 – 1933), 8 Lo Sheung-fu (盧湘父, 1868 – 1970),9 Lai Tsi-hsi (賴際熙, 1865 – 1937), 10 Ou Dadian (區大典, 1877 – 1937), 11 Zhu Ruzhen (朱汝珍, 1870 – 1942), etc. 12 However, almost all the money was spent on site formation and foundation works. Eventually, Kan Hung-chiu donated some $57,000 in the name of his father, Kan Long-shan (簡朗山), who supported the promotion of Confucianism, to cover the cost of constructing Confucius Hall. The front elevation of the main building, at the ground floor level near the main entrance, is embedded with a plaque engraved with “簡朗山公贈建孔 聖講堂全座 民國廿四年 吉日立”, 13 while at the roof floor level, it bears the inscriptions of “孔聖 講堂” and “ 謝家寶 ” (Tse Ka-po, the calligrapher). 14 In-between the characters “孔聖” and “講堂” is a plague engraved with “玉振金聲”.15 Confucius Hall was formally opened on 10 December 1935. Tso Seen-wan was the first president of the society.
Confucius Hall is situated on a plot of land registered as “Inland Lot No. 3357” (or I.L. 3357). According to the Government Lease of I.L. 3357, the lessee “will not except with the consent of the Governor erect or allow or suffer the erection on the said piece or parcel of ground or any part thereof any building other than a Confucius Hall and ancillary buildings thereto … and for any purposes whatever other than for the purposes of the propagation of Confucius morals and principles (including charities, education, celebrative functions and ceremonies and revolution)”.16 The use of the site is restricted to the activities mentioned in the said lease. The Birthday of Confucius is still annually celebrated and lectures are organized there. An orphanage named “孔聖堂兒童保康院” was opened at Confucius Hall on 25 March 1939, but it ceased operation in 1941 due to the outbreak of the war. 17 The building was slightly damaged during the Japanese invasion (mainly the glass panes of doors and windows broken by the nearby bomb attacks). During the Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1945), the main building was occupied by the Japanese as an office and a sanatorium.
8 Chen Huanzhang was a student of Kang Youwei (康有為). In 1911, he was conferred a Doctor’s Degree by the University of Columbia. In 1912, Chen established the National Confucius Association (孔教總會) in Shanghai and was its first president (會 長). Later, the association was moved to Beijing, with Kang as the president and Chen as the secretary (總幹事). Branches were established on the Mainland. In 1930, Chen came to Hong Kong and established the Confucian Academy (孔教學院) at No. 13 Bonham Road. He was the first president of the academy from 1930 to 1933.
9 In 1889, Lo Sheung-fu went to Japan and taught at the Da Tong School (大同學校) at Yokohama (橫濱). He returned to the Mainland in 1900 and later moved to Macau and then Hong Kong. He operated a secondary school named “湘父男女中學” in Hong Kong for 30 years. Lu was the third president of the Confucian Academy from 1942 to 1970, and also served on the Boards of Directors of the Confucius Society (香港孔聖會) and the Confucian Association of China (中華聖教總會).
10 The School of Chinese Studies (中文學院, renamed Department of Chinese Department (中文系) in 1933) of The University of Hong Kong was established in 1927. Lai Tsi-hsi was appointed Reader in Chinese History and Head of the department. He was also one of the founders who established a Hakka association named Tsung Tsin Association (崇正總會) in 1921.
11 Ou Dadian was appointed Reader in Chinese Literature of the Chinese Department of The University of Hong Kong in 1927.
12 In the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign (光緒三十二年, 1906), Zhu Ruzhen was sent by the Qing government to study law at the Hosei University (法政大學) in Tokyo. He then taught at the imperial school of law in Beijing (京師法律學堂), and in the early 1920s he taught at the Confucian University (孔教大學) established by Chen Huanzhang in Beijing. Chu was the second president of the Confucian Academy from 1934 to 1942.
13 The plaque literally means “Confucius Hall was built by the donation from Kan Long-shan. Plaque erected in the 24th Republican year”.
14 In the early twentieth century, Tse Ka-po was a comprador of the a Japanese navigation company named Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line (日本郵船公司). This facilitated him to transport rice to Hong Kong from Guangdong Province in 1918 in order to alleviate the shortage of the supply of rice due to the famine in the northern part of the Mainland (華北). He served on the Boards of Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital and Po Leung Kuk in 1920/ 1921, and one of the subscribers for the construction of the Aberdeen Technical School (香港仔工業學校) (Grade 3) in 1935. Besides, Tse was dubbed “contemporary calligrapher of Lingnan” (當代嶺南書法家).
15 “玉振金聲” is a phrase developed from a saying of another sage, Mengzi (孟子). It expresses the appreciation of Mengzi to Confucius for the latter’s great achievement in academy and ethics. The saying originated from Mengzi’s work, namely 《萬章 下》:「孔子之謂集大成;集大成也者,金聲而玉振之也。金聲也者,始條理也;玉振之者,終條理也。」 For instance, “金 聲玉振” is engraved on an entrance pai-fong (牌坊) at the Temple of Confucius (孔廟) at Qufu (曲阜), Shandong (山東). 4 not except with the consent of the Governor erect or allow or suffer the erection on the said piece or parcel of ground or any part thereof any building other than a Confucius Hall and ancillary buildings thereto … and for any purposes whatever other than for the purposes of the propagation of Confucius morals and principles (including charities, education, celebrative functions and ceremonies and revolution)”.
16 The use of the site is restricted to the activities mentioned in the said lease. The Birthday of Confucius is still annually celebrated and lectures are organized there. An orphanage named “孔聖堂兒童保康院” was opened at Confucius Hall on 25 March 1939, but it ceased operation in 1941 due to the outbreak of the war.
17 The building was slightly damaged during the Japanese invasion (mainly the glass panes of doors and windows broken by the nearby bomb attacks). During the Japanese Occupation (1941 – 1945), the main building was occupied by the Japanese as an office and a sanatorium.
There are a number of artefacts in the lecture hall that show the patronage of Confucius Hall by the leading figures of the Chinese community and its social network in Hong Kong. They include the wooden couplets presented to Confucius Hall in celebration of its completion in 1935. The gilded couplet which flank the main entrance door of the hall were presented by the founders. It is flanked by the couplet presented by the Hong Kong Confucius Society (香港孔聖會). In the middle above the main entrance door is a plaque from The Confucian Academy (孔教學院), written by Zhu Ruzhen. The couplets inside the hall were presented by the Confucian Association of China (中華聖教總會), The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (香港中華總商會), a children’s hospital in Guangzhou named “廣州志德 嬰孩醫院”, as well as some community leaders of the New Territories, including Tsoi Po-tin (蔡寶田, 1872 – 1944), Ng Kei-cheung (伍其昌, 1859 – 1938) and Tang Fan-sun (鄧勳臣, 1874 – 1953). 18
17 Zhu Ruzhen (朱汝珍) was the headmaster of the orphanage. It aimed at providing the destitute children with a home, making them healthy through nutrition and physical exercise, and giving them education on contemporary general knowledge (應世常識) and moral values.
18 Tsoi Po-tin was a prominent figure in Hong Kong and a leader of the Tsoi clan in Wang Chau (橫洲), Yuen Long. He engaged in construction company named Wing Yick & Co. (榮益公司) at No. 25 Gage Street (潔志街), Central. The company was a building contractor of Oi Kwan Mansion (愛群大廈), a 15-storied building completed in 1937 and measured 65.27 meters in height, which was the tallest building in Guangzhou before the Second World War. Tsoi was also one of the founders of Hop Yick Co. (合益公司) in order to set up Yuen Long New Market. Besides, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Po Leung Kuk in 1934/1935. The mansion named Yu Yuen (娛苑, Grade 2) was built by Tsoi Po-tin in 1927 as a summer villa at his birthplace, Tung Tau Wai (東頭圍), Wang Chau. Ng Kei-cheung, alias Ng Shing-chi (伍醒遲), was one of the important leaders of the “six-day war” (from 14 to 19 April 1899) against the British takeover of the New Territories. He was influential in Shap Pat Heung, Yuen Long, and enlisted the Shap Pat Heung people to join the war. In the early twentieth century, Ng was one of the community leaders who helped found Hop Yick Co. to set up Yuen Long New Market, and organize subscriptions to establish Pok Oi Hospital (博愛醫院). He also contributed to education, for instance, by establishing a school named Wing On She (永安社, renamed Wing On School (永安學校) in 1938) in the Tin Hau Temple (天后古廟) at Ngau Yiu (瓦窰), Shap Pat Heung, also known as Tai Shue Ha Tin Hau Temple (大樹下天 后古廟, Grade 2). Tang Fan-sun was a local gentry of Tai Po Tau (大埔頭), Tai Po. The Tangs at Tai Po Tau branched out from Kam Tin. In 1947, he was one of the founders of Luen Wo Land Investment Company Limited (聯和置業有限公司) and served on the Board of Directors from 1947 to 1953. The company established Luen Wo Market (聯和墟), which was formally opened on 20 January 1951.
Architectural Merit
The lecture hall and the adjacent staff quarters are accessible from the entrance gateway, which takes the form of a pai-fong (牌坊) erected along the pavement on Caroline Hill Road and then the granite stairways leading from the gateway to the elevated platform upon which the buildings stand. The concrete pai-fong is surfaced with washed granolithic render, and inscribed with the society’s name “孔聖 堂” (Confucius Hall) and that of the calligrapher “雷蔭蓀” (Lui Yum-suen), who was one of the founders of the society. The delicately carved Chinese-style granite balustrades bordering the northern and eastern edges of the platform remain intact. 19
Confucius Hall was designed by Tam Shiu-hong (譚肇康, 1875 – 1961), who was a well-known architect at the time. The building applications were submitted to the Building Authority by Messrs. Leigh and Orange, while the contractors were Messrs. Kin Cheong (建昌建築公司). 20 It is a reinforced concrete structure with Chinese-style features. The building consists of a main hall overlooked by an internal balcony, and a second floor constructed over the front part of the building. Externally, the two concrete roofs are covered with green glazed pan and roll tiles. At the front there is a hipped roof (四坡頂), while the rear one is a hip-and-gable roof (歇山頂). The main ridge of the front roof is decorated with a pair of dragon fish (鰲魚) with a pearl in the middle. The side ridges are decorated with wave-like ornaments. Beneath the eaves are concrete brackets, which imitate the dougong (斗 栱) of Chinese architecture, and bands of painted decoration with Chinese patterns. On the ground floor, the entrance bay is composed of three red wooden doors and fanlights decorated with patterned metal grilles, while the cantilevered balcony above has a Chinese-style granite balustrade. The bay is embellished with a pair of red terrazzo colossal columns, a band of ruyi (如意) motifs, and decorative panels with ruyi motifs.
19 The northern edge is in front of the main building and the eastern edge on its right.
20 It was Kan Hung-chiu who asked Tam Shiu-hong to design Confucius Hall and monitor the construction works. Tam was born in Xinhui (新會) of Guangdong Province (廣東省) in 1875 and graduated from St. Paul’s College in Hong Kong. He then graduated in architecture in Dalian (大連) of Liaoning Province (遼寧省), and worked with the works bureaus of the Qing government in Dalian and Tianjian (天津). In 1908, Tam moved to Hong Kong. He firstly worked with the Public Works Department and then a construction company. Later, he established his own companies named Wing Lee & Co. (永利建築公司) and Yee Lee Co. (裕利公司). Tam further founded Lam Woo & Co. (聯益建築公司) in partnership with Lam Woo (林護, 1870 – 1933), a well-known figure in the construction field. His companies had been the building contractor of many government projects, such as the Aberdeen reclamation, and the construction of the Tai Tam Tuk and Shing Mun Reservoirs and staff quarters in the early twentieth century. He was one of the founders who established The Building Contractors Association Limited Hong Kong (香港建造商會, now Hong Kong Construction Association) in 1920, and was elected the president of the association in 1922.
In the 1920s, there were serious labour problems. Workers in the construction industry occasionally went on strikes. Tam, as a representative from the association, acted as the arbitrator and settled the strikes. He had become a Life Advisor (永遠維持顧問) of the association by the early 1950s. As a philanthropist, he was one of the Principal Directors (首總 理) of the Tung Wah Hospital in 1932 and served on the Board of Directors of Po Leung Kuk in 1934, for instance. Tam and Lam Woo had also provided much financial support for the revolutionary activities of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
In 1985, a statue of Confucius (孔子像), a pavilion named “觀鳳亭” near the statue and a one-storey building named “書劍軒” near the lecture hall were erected to mark the 50th anniversary of Confucius Hall.21 The design of these structures, which reflect the influences of Chinese architecture, makes them compatible with the external appearance of the lecture hall.
Internally, the main building consists of two parts. The rear part is a double volume space comprising the main hall with its internal balcony. Regarding the front part, this comprises a ground floor entrance hall, above which is a mezzanine floor with the main hall’s internal balcony and a room adjacent to it. This room has a cantilevered balcony with a Chinese-style decorative granite balustrade, and was formerly a conference room and a classroom, and is now a reading room. It is said that the officiating guests at the opening ceremony stood on this balcony to greet the guests, and they could enjoy a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. During the Japanese Occupation, the room was used by the Japanese as a conference room. A library is housed on the top floor above it.
The main hall is an auditorium built with a great deal of consideration. The design is practical but elegant. It is a column-free hall, and the usage of the space is therefore very flexible. To achieve such a column-free space, a concrete arched-beam roof structure with vertical hangers was designed and installed above the ceiling (in the ceiling void next to the library) in order to suspend the huge roof over the main hall. The ground floor has a gentle slope to enhance audience experience through better visibility. It is an open plan design without fixed seating to suit the needs of different events. The internal balcony is stepped for better visibility, and has a U-shaped form to provide more space to accommodate rows of historic timber seats. For acoustic reasons, it was reported that the hall’s ceiling was lined with Celotex panels.
The building’s decoration mostly adopted traditional Chinese elements or motifs. Ruyi motifs in different forms are widely used, for instance, on the brackets at the ground floor and upper levels of the main hall, on the parapet surrounding the balcony and the ventilation grilles on the ceiling of the main hall. Chinese meander patterns and four-petal motifs are also identifiable on the balcony’s parapet. The decorative elements are elaborate and eye-catching with their use of bright and contrasting colours and with a high level of craftsmanship.
There are other features that are worthy of mention, as they serve to illustrate the contemporary building materials and techniques used in the 1930s. They include the terrazzo finishes of the colossal columns, the entrance surround and the flooring of the entrance hall, and the coloured cement tiles at the entrance hall, in the reading room and on the cantilevered balcony. Besides, the library is made of long hard wood floorboards, some of which are around 4.2 metres in length.
21The building “書劍軒” was built to house the archives of the Confucius Secondary School (校史室). It is now used as an activity room of the primary section of the Chinese Academy (晉德學校).
The three-storey ancillary building was built for use as staff quarters. As an annex building, it adopts a humbler design with practical use in mind. Simple moulded cornice can be identified between the second and third floor levels, while the balcony on the third floor is surrounded by a balustrade with bamboo-shaped balusters, which enhance the aesthetics of the building. Toilet facilities and storerooms are housed in the building now.
Social Value & Local Interest
It was said that before the opening of Hong Kong City Hall in 1962, Confucius Hall was the major venue for large-scale activities and lectures, and the only community hall open to the public before the Second World War. For instance, in August 1940, a remembrance service for the 60th birthday of the late Lu Hsun (魯迅, 1881 – 1936), with an attendance of some 300 members of the public, was held at Confucius Hall. Hsu Ti-shan (許地山, 1893 – 1941) delivered an opening speech and Xiao Hong (蕭紅, 1911 – 1942) introduced the biography of Lu Hsun. In September 1941, a memorial service for Hsu Ti-shan was also organised there, which was attended by some 700 people from around 40 cultural and educational groups and tertiary institutions, etc., After the war, during an event in 1948 commemorating the May Fourth Movement, public lectures delivered by Guo Moruo (郭沫若) on “Science and Democracy” (科學與民主) and Mao Dun (茅盾) on “The Mission of Contemporary Artists” (當前文藝工作者的任務) attracted an audience of about 1,000 people. These examples also show the inclusivity of Confucius Hall, in that it welcomed people holding different ideas, including those who advocated science and new expressions of culture rather than traditional Chinese culture and beliefs. 22
Various other kinds of events were also held at Confucius Hall. For instance, it was a venue for rallying supports and arousing national spirit and patriotic feeling against the Japanese invasion of China. On 12 May 1938, for example, the Hongkong Committee for Student Relief ( 香港學生賑濟 會 or 學賑會 in abbreviation), comprising students of secondary schools and The University of Hong Kong, organised a mobilisation ceremony at Confucius Hall. It was attended by representatives of student organisations, including those from the UK, France, Guangzhou and Macau. On 31 March 1939, the committee organised a mass oath-taking ceremony named “國民公約宣誓典” at Confucius Hall. Some 1200 students from about 100 schools pledged their loyalty to the country and their determination to mobilise patriotic feeling against the Japanese invasion in accordance with the anti-Japanese convention of national citizens (國民抗敵公約 or 國民公約 in abbreviation), which became effective across the Mainland from 27 April the same year. Activities such as singing and drama performances and exhibitions were also held there in order to gather subscriptions and raise funds to provide necessities for the destitute and soldiers on the Mainland.
22 The topics of the lectures were indeed not restricted to Confucianism. For instance, in 1952, Jao Tsung-I (饒宗頤, 1917 – 2018) gave a lecture on Chinese classics and palaeography (經義與古文字學), and in 2013, Joseph Ting (丁新豹) on the history of Hong Kong during the early colonial period at Confucius Hall.
At present, Confucius Hall is still a venue used for the celebration of the Birthdays of Confucius and Mengzi. Memorial services for well-known public figures, such as Ip Lan-chuen (葉蘭泉, 1865 – 1946) and Shum Choi-sang (岑才生, 1922 – 2016),23 were also held there. It is also the assembly hall of the Confucius Hall Secondary School (孔聖堂中學, first built as Tai Shing Secondary School (大成 中學) in 1950, and renamed its current name in 1953).
Group Value
Confucius Hall has group value with other historic buildings, including the Race Course Fire Memorial (馬場先難友紀念碑, Declared Monument), Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (東華東院, Grade 2), Shing Kwong Church (聖光堂, Grade 2), St. Paul’s Convent Church (聖保祿修院, Grade 1), S.K.H. St. Mary’s Church (聖馬利亞 堂, Grade 1) and Main Building of Po Leung Kuk (保良局主樓, Grade 2).
Rarity Built Heritage Value & Authenticity
When completed in 1935, Confucius Hall was described as a “novel building” and a “notable structure”. 24 Its design is a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural features. The movement that was rejuvenating Chinese architecture by incorporating the use of modern building materials and methods was in its heyday on the Mainland at that time. Confucian Hall displays the influence of the movement on Hong Kong’s architectural community. The replacement of original timber windows with aluminium ones is the only obvious alteration that can be identified. Without any major alterations that might have diminished its authenticity, Confucius Hall is one of the rare and outstanding surviving examples of design and construction combining both Chinese and Western architecture in Hong Kong. It is also the only surviving building built for the promotion of Confucianism that has this kind of design.25
23 Shum Choi-sang was an acclaimed journalist and publisher of Wah Kiu Yat Po (華僑日報, 1925 – 1995), a well-known Chinese newspaper founded by his father, Shum Wai-yau (岑維休), in 1925. From 1997 to 2008, Shum Choi-sang was School Supervisor of Confucius Hall Secondary School (孔聖堂中學校監). He had also served on the Board of Directors of Confucius Hall for many years, including being President, until passing way in 2016. He also made generous donations to education, from kindergarten to tertiary levels.
24 “Confucius Hall: Novel Building Near Completion at Caroline Hill,” South China Morning Post, 13 August, 1935, and “Colony's Progress: Building Activity in the Past Year – Notable Structures,” South Ching Morning Post, 8 October, 1935. 9
Moreover, Confucius Hall is also the oldest surviving historic building constructed for the reverence and advocacy of Confucianism in Hong Kong. It is still an important venue for the annual celebration of the Birthdays of Confucius and Mengzi. As a cultural venue, its commitment to inclusivity, as demonstrated by lectures held there on Confucianism and other classical and modern cultures has made it a place of great cultural diversity and dynamism. The hall was the only pre-war community venue open to the public for large-scale gatherings and it hosted important historical events, both shortly before and during the war years, which have enriched the historical value of the building.
25 Other surviving examples include King Yin Lei (景賢里), Tung Wah Museum (東華三院文物館), Tung Lin Kok Yuen (東蓮覺 苑), Race Course Fire Memorial (馬場先難友紀念碑) (Declared Monuments), Haw Par Mansion (虎豹別墅), S.K.H. St. Mary’s Church (聖公會聖馬利亞堂)(Grade 1), Old Block of Holy Spirit Seminary (聖神修院舊座), Maryknoll House (瑪利諾神父宿 舍) (all Grade 1), and the S.K.H. Holy Trinity Cathedral (聖公會聖三一座堂, Grade 2)
Jun 5, 2021
簡永楨先生啓動孔聖堂講座系列
有86年歷史的孔聖堂,早前首場國學講座以「香港銅鑼灣掃桿埔孔聖講堂的前世今生及往後的發展路向」為講題,主講嘉賓包括簡永楨先生、丁新豹教授和徐麗葉女士,由嶺南大學協理副校長劉智鵬教授主持,吸引近二百名嘉賓及各界文化、學術、保育、傳媒和儒學愛好者等的精英參加,現場坐無虛席,討論氣氛熱烈 。
講座目的
孔聖堂佔地十二萬多平方英呎,乃1928年省港富商簡孔昭先生慷概捐出的一幅土地,其後更捐錢及集資興建孔聖講堂,旨在宏揚儒家思想,秉承清末民初盛行的尊崇孔孟教誨精神,喚醒當時香港市民的尊師重道意識,與及抵消上世紀初葉經濟蕭條帶來的不安而導致的絕望。
講堂終於1935年落成,開幕當日,城中名人雅士,紳商巨賈,雲集而至,熱鬧場面,一時無兩。其後,曾到此發表的劃時代碩學名儒不計其數,上世紀香港淪陷日軍前者計有朱汝珍太史、許地山教授、蕭紅女士等等;光復後則有著名學者如郭沫若、錢穆及矛盾等等。自此講堂雖然尚有學者不時蒞臨講學,唯久而久之,此處漸被遺忘,誠屬可惜。
年前捐贈人孔昭公之嫡曾孫簡永楨先生有感於講座剛被特區政府定位為第一級受保護歷史建築物,理應向社會人士重燃八十五年前之初衷,更應將此珍貴文化遺產活化起來,借古喻今,一則市民可欣賞一棟融合山東曲阜孔廟的設計,二十世紀三十年代日益流行的裝飾主義(Art Deco)及包浩斯(Bauhaus)的簡約理念,而達致有中國古建築物特色、配合鋼筋混凝土實際功能的高效率講堂;二則特意闡述清末民初儒學在香港生根發芽的過程,時至今天,儒學應不再被視爲封建及拘泥的一股手段,而應被視爲學以致用的做人道理,一旦悟其道理,做人處事自可掌握到中庸之道,不卑亦不亢,心安理得。
涵蓋範圍
第一位講者爲簡永楨先生,他從二十世紀初講述其曾祖父孔昭公偕其堂兄弟玉階公及照南公于1909年創辦「南洋兄弟烟草公司」的始末,其時孔昭公父親朗山公斥資八萬元,方能促成其事,新公司成立後以孔昭公為單一最大股東,佔47%股份。
1928年孔昭公目睹香港民生艱苦,閒談間與另一殷商曾富先生商議,遂捐地十二餘萬平方英呎地建設孔聖堂,1929年成立籌建委員會,有十四位成員,除簡公外,尚有多年後結為姻親的梁弼予先生、葉蘭泉先生、周俊年先生、鄧肇堅先生等等。
講者特顯為善既要有心,亦要有能力。簡氏家族自辛亥革命後業務蒸蒸日上,及至1920年,先後斥資建成武漢南洋大樓, 1995年被定位為愛國主義基地,1996年被列爲全國文物保護單位,現與黃鶴樓、紅樓合稱為武漢三大名樓。同期亦有建成位於上海外灘的高陽大樓, 1994年被列為上海市第二批優秀歷史建築。此期尚有廣州的「簡園」,毛澤東主席曾造訪十多次,探訪其友人譚延闓 ,此處亦是共產黨第三次全國代表大會所在地,它屬全國重點保護單位,現為廣東省文物考古研究所座落地。
孔昭公既然有心亦有能力,遂有條件捐地建立孔聖堂。
時至今天,講者認爲講堂所涵蓋的範圍理應不只局限於儒學及有關類別,當可擴大至諸子百家,甚至氣候變化對人類的影響,人工智能及慈善學等等。香港有不同級次的受政府保護建築物,但能夠受保護之餘又可將之活化而對市民有永久裨益者則為數不多也。
第二位講者乃丁新豹教授,他獨步史壇,譽滿香江,細談清室遜位遺老抵港後,繼續鼓吹中國傳統禮教,設立孔教學院,先後成立學海書樓,港大中文學院等,以賴際熙牽頭,繼續傳揚孔孟學說。當時港大中文系教席,尚有清朝遺老溫肅及區大典等人物。
康有為主張把儒學轉化成宗教,直與西方宗教勢力抗衡,其忠實支持者有陳煥章,此君乃前清進士,後取得美國哥倫比亞大學博士學位。
丁教授細道金文泰港督(1925-30)洞悉儒家倫理有助於穩定香港民心,平衡蘇俄布爾什維克主義不利英廷統治香港的作用,是故港英政府也接受之。
第三位講者乃代表利安建築師事務所(Leigh & Orange)的首席董事徐麗葉女士。利安創于1874年,孔聖堂可謂他們戰前的一項驕人之作。1930年,彼等夥拍當時極負盛名的獨立建築師譚肇康先生,撮合中西建築設計的優點,完成香港鮮有的一項新嘗試。譚則師亦有其它抱負,他曾參加孫中山先生的同盟會,亦曾挺身不顧一切為黃花崗七十二烈士撿拾屍骸,其後傳為佳話。徐女士最噲炙人口之談乃孔聖講堂既有中式建築之風格,内則蘊藏西方裝飾主義(Art Deco)及包浩斯(Bauhaus)的元素,效果恰到好處,不會令人產生不倫不類之感。
堂董會主席的願景
孔聖堂堂董會主席兼中學校監溫偉麟先生表示,這個講座系列一方面可以傳承儒學,另一方面多做集思廣益的工作,因為香港這個時間十分需要這方面的配合,特別是向年青人講解「唯善」的重要,帶起多方面的討論。
為傳承儒學和貫徹社會責任,孔聖堂未來計劃的講座內容,包括由馬逢國議員主講的「十四五規劃中的香港定位」,丁新豹教授主講的「銅鑼灣的歷史足跡」和前天文台長岑智明先生主講的「氣候變化的三世書」。
出席嘉賓
當日列席嘉賓近200人,近年來鮮見矣。其中有立法局代表體育、演藝、文化及出版界議員馬逢國先生,特區政府文物保育專員蔣志豪先生,康文署副署長楊芷蘭女士,古物咨詢委員會主席蘇彰德先生,古物古蹟辦事處執行秘書蕭麗娟女士,保良局總監王倩儀女士,儒學權威危丁明教授及道教專才游子安教授等等。
後話
本年6月5號於孔聖講堂舉行的孔聖講堂簡孔昭先生紀念啓動講座,料可促進廣大香港市民對孔聖講堂及其象徵價值發生興趣,亦可體會到簡孔昭先生的後人及孔聖堂仝人致力將此甚有歷史價值的古建築物活化的意願及決心,就正如廣東省文物考古研究所所長曹勁女士所云:「共享文化,共享遺產,共享責任」。 為了達此目標,必須官民理念一致,方能事半功倍。
Taken by John Tam
講堂天花有數個特色的雲型圖案的天窗, 具通風之用
頂層圖書館外天花板上可以窺探講堂頂部的講者徐麗葉女士所言的《預應力混凝土設計》
主持人
劉智鵬教授
第三位講者是利安顧問(Leigh & Orange)的首席董事徐麗葉女士
有線電視新聞總監李臻
古諮會主席蘇彰德
黄婉霜與嶺大劉智鵬教授
特别鳴謝徐女士允許轉載她的講演内容
黄婉霜攝
黄婉霜攝
圖説香港歷史建築 1920 - 1945
由徐麗業女士寫序文