Seh Ong Temple at Kheam Hock Road

While researching, i stumbled across this 2 building plans that are related to Seh Ong Clan Temple along Kheam Hock Road, just outside of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Ong Chwee Tow was an important pioneer, philanthropist and one of the trustee's of the Seh Ong Clan. when he passed away, his tomb is on the top of the hill just opposite of the location of the proposed temple. With all this nuggets packed into the building plans below, it is definitely something i want to find out a bit more. 

Another 2 nuggets i gathered from the building plan is the address - No 263 Kheam Hock Road and the architect, Tan Seng Chong & Co. 

The Title of the Plan:

(1) Plan of Chinese Temple Proposed to be erected at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow, Esq. Freehold land 

(2) Amended Passed Plan No 517 Dated 22-10-1921 to Chinese Temple at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow, Esq. Freehold land 

Plan of Chinese Temple Proposed to be erected at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow 
(source: National Archives of Singapore)

Amended Passed Plan No 517 Dated 22-10-1921 to Chinese Temple at Reserve Road off Bukit Timah Road. For Ong Chwee Tow
(source: National Archives Singapore)

From the building plan and amended plan you can see how the proposed changes impacted the front facade of the building. As i am not a trained architect i won't be able to cover of course the full range of changes, but what is exciting to me is the amended design to my untrained high looks similar to the old  available pictures of the chinese temple of Seh Ong (see below). 

The first design (top) and the amended design (below)

Amended design when compared with the rare photos of the Seh Ong Temple in Kheam Hock Road

Ong Chwee Tow 

Ong Chwee Tow (王水斗) came to Singapore when he was 15 years of age. He held various jobs and climbed up the social ladder. He worked as Tan Kah Kee's rickshaw rider, then as a hawker and later on in the pineapple line. His fortune came when the pineapple factory owner fell sick and died and he took over the management of the factory.  Ong Chwee Tow was a well known philanthropist and associated as the main sponsor of the Tou Mou Gong Temple in Upper Serangoon Road.  From the building plan you can make out his signature as well. 

Ong Chwee Toh 

On the papers dated 8 December 1937, Mrs. Ong Chwee Toh and family thanked the Honourable Colonial Secretary, S.S. , all friends and relative, the committee of the Po Leung Kuk, The committee of the China relief Fund, Cheow Ann Huay Kuam, Teng San Huay Kuan, Lian Yew Association, Beng Choon Kok, patrons, President and Members of the Oleh Oleh Party, The Clerical Staff of the Singapore Turf. 

Ong Chwee Tow tomb at Seh Ong Hill 2

Location of Chinese Temple 

From the Survey Department map, 263 Kheam Hock Road matches the location in the Building Plan. The location is just before the turning into the old defunct Lorong Halwa Road. 

Temple at 263 Kheam Hock Road. 
(source: National Archives Singapore)

Side story - Architect Tan Seng Chong

Tan Seng Chong, the architect of the building plan caught my eye - his chop appear on the bottom right corner, although blur - it matches a clearer one by him of an older building plan for Yap Geok Song. 

Tan Seng Chong signature on the building plan

Tan Seng Chong signature on Yap Geok Song's building plan 

Tan Seng Chong was an Architect and proprietor of Tan Seng Chong and Co. with business at 14 Raffles Quay as architects and general contractors, under European supervision. Prior to this he was a student of the I.C.S. and Municipal Surveyor and Daughtsman with 14 years of experience before deciding to start his own business as an architect and estimator in 1910 initially in his residence in No 189 Queen Street and subsequently in 14 Raffles Quay. He was the first Chinese to start his own architectural practice.

Tan Seng Chong 

Phones were only 4 digits then
(source: NewspaperSG) 

Tan Seng Chong, passed away on August 20, 1927  in his residence at No 189 Queen Street. He was 53 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Madam Au Swee Hai , one adopted son, Mr. Tan Teng Kee (also known as Battling Key), one son, Mr. Tan Chui Guan , 2 daughters, Miss Tan Eng Keow, Tan Hong Keow, 1 daughter-in-law, Tay Kim Swee Neo.

Picture of Tan Seng Chong funeral, hearse and accompanying group
taken in front of his office ( photo courtesy of Mervin Tan, great grandson)