First built in 1873 Ho Lim Kong Temple stands proudly. It’s also known as Gao Lin Gong Temple. Members of the Singapore Khoh Clan Association built it on Tras Street. The Khoh pioneers brought joss ash from their patron deities. They brought it from Yu Hu Village in Nan’an Fujian to San Wang Fu temple in Singapore.
For many years Ho Lim Kong Temple hosted festive celebrations for the Khoh Clan Association. The temple enjoyed a peaceful existence until the early 1960s. Then a two-year civil lawsuit erupted. Three people the court appointed as trustees. A woman Madam Tan Geok Loo claimed uninterrupted possession since 1928. She wanted to restrain the trustees from accessing the property. After 27 hearings the trustees won.
Later in 1975 the temple was rebuilt on Outram Hill. Venerable Hong Chuan consecrated it. He was a former abbot of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. Unlike many Chinese temples Ho Lim Keng’s architecture is predominantly modern with traditional embellishments. Lush vegetation surrounds the double-storey reinforced concrete building. It’s painted in auspicious pink and red. The roof boasts traditional Southern Chinese features. These include dragons swallowtails and juancao.
Ho Lim Kong Temple houses three main deities. They are Xu Xun Gong Zhen Jun Xu Zhao Ying Hou Gong and San Wang Ye Gong. The second floor holds an ancestral hall. It belongs to the Singapore Khoh Clan Association. They remain the temple’s owners. Today Ho Lim Kong Temple continues to be a place of peace and prayer for the Khoh clan and all who seek its spiritual embrace. A testament to resilience faith and cultural heritage. It stands as a vibrant symbol of Singapore’s rich history.