News Story

Preservation of Kom Tong Hall Now Assured

HONG KONG — The future of Kom Tong Hall is now resolved with an agreement worked out by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, owners of the building.

"This is a good news day for Hong Kong. As a church we outgrew this marvelous building and are sadly saying goodbye. We are delighted, though, that it will be preserved," said Church spokesperson Siu Hong Pon.

The agreement assures the continued existence of Kom Tong Hall, built in 1914.

Mr. Pon added that although the amount of compensation given by the government will not be sufficient for the Church to purchase a similar property in the area, the Church feels that completing the transaction is a contribution to the benefit of the community at large.

"The Church and its members strive to be good neighbors throughout the world. From the beginning we wanted to find a way to spare the building and yet allow for us to grow."

There are over 22,000 Latter-day Saints in the Hong Kong area and close to 12 million worldwide.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been in Hong Kong for over 50 years. Beginning in 1961, the Church used Kom Tong Hall for worship services and administrative offices.

The Church's extensive welfare, humanitarian and building programs in Asia were administered out of Kom Tong Hall up until two years ago.

AMO officials recently praised the Church for the way it has maintained the historic building.

With the exception of wartime, Ho Kom Tong and his family lived in the house from 1914 until 1959, when it was sold to another family. The Church then bought the property in 1960.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is constructing a 13-story building on Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.