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Taichung City Wenchang Temple

2025-09-09
886-4-23891827
台中市南屯區文昌街100號
The Wenchang Temple in Taichung City, located at No. 100, Wenchang Street, Nantun Li, Nantun District. In the past, Nantun District was the living area of the Babuza people of the Mazhu tribe, one of the Plains Indigenous tribes. After the Qing rule (1684), Han settlers began to develop the area, and by the fourth year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign (1726), the reclamation was successful, and the Wanhe Palace (now a municipal historic site at No. 51, Section 1, Wanhe Road) was established to worship Mazu. The area was also a midway station between the old city of Half-line (now Changhua) and the village of Hulu (now Fengyuan), famous for its production of plow heads and other agricultural tools, hence the name "Plow Head Shop Street." According to the "Rites Section" of the fifth volume of the "Changhua County Gazetteer" published during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, there were seven temples dedicated to Emperor Wenchang in Changhua County before the Daoguang era. One of them was located in Plow Head Shop Street, built in the second year of Emperor Jiaqing's reign (1797) by Ronguo (a type of degree holder) Zeng Yuvin and others. This makes the "Plow Head Shop Wenchang Temple" one of the earliest temples dedicated to Emperor Wenchang in Changhua County, along with another in Xiluo Street, and it is considered the birthplace of culture in the Taichung region. The temple was initially established by members of the Jian family, who donated land in the name of their ancestors, Jian Huiyuan and Jian Guixin. Ronguo Zeng Yuvin raised funds and chose a site at the current Nantun Market to build the temple, naming it "Plow Head Shop Wenchang Temple," which became the name of the temple at its founding. According to the "Religious Census" published in 1924, there were several fraternal organizations associated with the temple. In the 19th year of Emperor Jiaqing's reign (1814), Chen Rixin founded the "Xinlan Society." In the 24th year of Jiaqing's reign (1819), Zhang Tiande initiated the establishment of the "Tengqi Ji" (also known as the Wenlin Society). In the 6th year of Emperor Tongzhi's reign (1867), the "Chongwen Society" was established. In the 2nd year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1876), Chen Jihui from Yuedong Village in Wuri District founded the "Daguan Society." These societies collectively purchased land, with rental income and proceeds from agricultural production used to establish a village school in the temple's annex. Local scholars were hired to teach, promoting local culture and nurturing talent. Additionally, two village examinations were held annually at the Wenchang Temple, awarding scholarships to encourage the emergence of local talent, earning the temple a reputation as the birthplace of culture in the Taichung region. The Daguan Society is the only surviving fraternal organization associated with the temple, holding an annual ritual at the temple on the 10th day of the 8th lunar month. After the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were ceded to Japan. During the Meiji period of Japanese rule, in 1898, the temple was temporarily used as the school building for the "Plow Head Shop Public Elementary School." In 1905, the school was relocated to its current site, now Nantun Elementary School. According to the "Religious Census" survey conducted during the Taisho period of Japanese rule, the temple's layout and building area had developed into a structure facing southwest, with a three-bay main hall, a worship pavilion, and two side wings. The temple also featured a decorative wall in front, with a total building area of approximately 94 ping (about 310 square meters) and a total land area of approximately 660 ping (about 2,170 square meters), making the temple complex spacious. At the time, the main deities worshipped were Emperor Wenchang, Emperor Zhiyuan, and Emperor Kuiding, with only three statues present. The temple's architecture and layout reflect the cultural and historical significance of the region, making it a notable landmark in Taichung City.
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