Cowsheds and European Wine Cellar at The Beathanie

The Béthanie is consisted of a few key sections. There is the dormitory for the missionaries, a chapel and a kitchen / wine cellar area in the basement, which now houses the museum.


The former Cowsheds of the Pokfulam Farm now serve as the theatre for the HKAPA. The structure has stood the test of time since 1886. Originally, there were four octagonal cowsheds, two of which were demolished during 1940s. Built in grey and blue bricks, the octagonal cowsheds had stucco exteriors and plastered interiors. The roof was built with reinforced concrete, with air turrets at the top. The most unique feature of the former Cowsheds is their octagonal shape. As opposed to rectangular shaped cowsheds, the octagonal layout introduces greater air flow within the enclosure.


The Béthanie was built by the Missions Estrangères de Paris (ME) as a sanatorium for the missionaries in the French mission society’s Southeast Asian outposts. Between 1875 and 1974, missionaries of the ME came to Béthanie from all over Asia to recover from tropical diseases.


Even with just a cursory look at the Béthanie on Pok Fu Lam Road, one will be in awe of the unique architecture and the history that breathes through it. It was built in the neo-Gothic architectural style. The most expressive features of neo-Gothic architecture at the Béthanie are the many vaulted arches throughout the building’s veranda and interiors. The lancet windows of the chapel are also typical of neo-Gothic architecture.


I daresay most visitors would find the chapel to be the most breathtaking part of the Béthanie. The proper name for the chapel of the Béthanie is George C. Tso Memorial Chapel. The Béthanie’s beautiful chapel and surrounding makes it a perfect venue for weddings.


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#historicallandmarks#历史古迹

Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Mar 1, 2025