The Christ the King Chapel was a pleasant surprise. Tucked away in the quieter space between Causeway Bay and Tin Hau, the chapel comes with beautiful neoclassical architecture and a generous garden space. A short walk here from the thoroughfare of Causeway Bay offers a respite that calms one’s spirit.

The Christ the King Chapel is part of the St. Paul’s Convent Church ensemble of buildings under the Order of the Sisters of St. Paul Chartre. In its vicinity lies the St. Paul’s Hospital and St. Paul’s Convent School.

The History of the Christ the King Chapel

Regem Regum Venite Adoremus

“Let us adore the King of Kings,” as the Latin phrase lies just beneath the chapel’s pediment. It was in the name of Christ’s glory that the Order of the Sisters of the St. Paul’s Chartre first arrived in Hong Kong in 1848 from France, with the aim of apostolic mission in the newly established British colony.

The Sisters of St. Paul put their charitable mission into action soon after they arrived, as they received the first orphan under their care. They would take in thousands more in the decades to come.

From the initial work in rescuing abandoned children, the Sisters extended their services to educating the orphans, then to children in general. They also began caring for the elderly and disabled. From that came the provision of medical care, namely, the St. Paul’s Hospital.

Expansion became necessary when the Sisters began offering more and more services to the community. From their original workplace in Wan Chai, the Order of the Sisters of St. Paul‘s Chartre moved to a factory building in Causeway Bay in 1915. Thus they had the venue to build permanent institutions for their services. It was around this time that Mother Felicie Jourdan was praying for a chapel to serve the spiritual needs of the Sisters.

In 1928, the foundation stone was laid for the chapel. It was dedicated and celebrated for use in 1930. The name “Christ the King Chapel” was a name given since 1995. The original features of the chapel were carefully preserved throughout its renovations.

Although the chapel is in fact big enough to accommodate 1,000 worshippers at a given time, it is named a chapel because it was always meant to be a place of private prayers for the Sisters. Although it does hold Sunday mass now, the chapel is still considered a private venue and there is no wedding celebration there.

Architectural Features of the Christ the King Chapel

Christ the King Chapel is the work of architect Joseph V Chanatong, who drew upon Roman architectural inspiration with Corinthian columns as the chapel’s key feature, and a covered colonnade lines the three exterior sides of the nave.

A cruciform plan serves as the basic layout of the building. There is a beautiful pediment and a dome to complete the Classical Revival style. Atop the gabled roof is a beautiful bell tower.

It is noteworthy that, amidst a generally western design, the roof of Christ the King Chapel is lined with double Chinese tiles.

Christ the King Chapel is a Grade 1 Historic Building.

The address of Christ the King Chapel is 33 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. The interior of the chapel is open to public during Sunday service.

Sources

Historic Building Appraisal Number 87, Antiquities Assessment Board.

The Sisters of St. Paul Chartre on Christ the King Chapel.