The former French Mission Building

The former French Mission Building

The French Society of Foreign Missions built the building in 1917 as their Procure of Hong Kong. Following then, the building was renovated for use by law-related organizations and related purposes. In 1989, it was designated as a national monument.

Usage of Building

• 1917: Procure of French Society of Foreign Missions in Hong Kong
• Before Hong Kong fell to the Japanese in 1941: The building was used briefly by the Government
• After the Second World War: the temporary headquarters of the Provisional Hong Kong Government

The French Mission and the Hong Kong Government signed a contract for the transaction of the building in 1952

• Since 1953, the building was occupied successively by the
  1. Education Department
  2. Victoria District Court
  3. the Supreme Court
  4. the Information Services Department.
• 1997-2015: the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA)

The CFA was relocated to the Old Supreme Court building in September 2015.

Architectural Style

One of Hong Kong's finest examples of historical architecture. The Edwardian-era three-story Neo-classical building with a basement is made of granite and red bricks. There is also a chapel in the northwest corner and a cupola rises over the roof. Many of the original architectural features have been preserved. It was designated a national monument in 1989.

• characteristic: 1. exquisite columns, 2. wooden staircase, 3. vaulted ceiling of the ground-floor hall, 4. the well-proportioned inner courtyard

Location

1 Battery Path, Central (Located on Central and Western Heritage Trail)

Reminder

It is not open to the public

Source

Declared Monuments in Hong Kong. Former French Mission Building, Battery Path, Central - Declared Monuments - Antiquities and Monuments Office. (2021, November 13). Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_37.php.