Ching-An Temple, also known as "Keelung Matsu Temple", located in the downtown strict, No. 1, Chung-Er Road, is one of three largest temples and one of the eighth famous tourist attractions in Keelung for its grandeur and elaborate decorations.
Goddess Matsu, the Holy Mother of Heaven and the main god of worship at Ching-An Temple, had a civilian name as Lin-Mu and was born in Fu-Jian (福建) province at the period of Sung Dynasty in the year of 960-987 AD. During her lifetime, she was renowned for her benevolence and for saving people's lives as well as to relieve them from poverty and disease. After her death, her spiritual power was revealed when sailors were rescued during several sea disasters. After these incidents, people respected her as the goddess of the Sea. She was honored by several emperors from different Chinese Dynasties, and many worshippers around the world believed in her tremendous miracles and her great holy spirit.
According to the historical record, a temple was built during Chin Dynasty Chen-Lung 45 year, 1780 AD. (乾隆45年,1780). The immigrants from Fu-Jian province (福建省) brought over incense to worship the Holy Matsu in Keelung. In the beginning, a small, simple temple was constructed at Niou-Chou (牛稠) harbor near Hu-Tzy (虎仔) mountain for praying for the sailor's safety, fishermen's harvest, family's security, and fortune. In year 1815 AD, Ching Dynasty (清朝), another temple was built by the local believer (He Shi-Lan), an elders who donated a part of his land for the construction of the new temple. When the temple was completed, it was formally named "Ching-An Temple", the current present place.
The original structure of the temple was damaged and destroyed by earthquakes and war. Since then it has undergone several renovations and gradually became hospitable and formal. The temple attracted a large number of pilgrims for several decades, but became damaged through time in its interior, the inside halls, the burner booth, and the ornamental arch, etc. In 1997, Chairman Mr. Tung Yung and the members of the management committee decided that it was necessary to remodel and expand to construct a more complete temple. It was finally completed in 1999, as it appears now, magnificent and splendid!
It has been our temple's greatest honor to receive several achievement tablets from government leaders, such as: Former President Lee, Deng Huei's tablets of "Keelung Matsu (基隆媽)", Former Vice President, Lien Jan's tablet of "Good Luck For All Mankind (福澤廣被)", and the former Minister of Executive Yuan, Shiao Wuan Chang's tablet of "Peace For Mankind All Over The Four Seas (四海平安)". The present President, Chen Shui-Bian, wrote the name on the front gate of our temple and gave an award plate called "Light Up The World and The Generation (傳燈風世)". All of these achievements represent the nobleness and the accomplishment of our temple in Keelung.
In additional to worshipping the Heavenly Mother (Matsu), visitors to the temple also come to adore the Jade Emperor (玉皇上帝), the god of Mercy (觀世音菩薩), the god of Guan-Gong (關聖帝君), the god of Fine Arts (文昌帝君), the goddess of Child-Bearing (註生娘娘), the god of Hall (地藏王), the god of Dou Lao (斗姥元君), the god of Land (土地公), Confucius (孔子), the god of Tai Shang (太上老君), Tsang Jie master (倉頡夫子), Tien-Guan Mammon (天官財神), Ji-Luen Mammon (季倫財神), Shuen-Tan Mammon (玄壇財神), Bi-Gan Mammon (比干財神), Wan-Shan Mammon (萬山財神), the Sixty gods of Jia-Tzy (六十甲子歲神). During April 2004, the Chairman Mr. Tung Yung and
the councilwoman Ms. Chang Fang Li lead a group of 114 individuals to visit the temple of "god of Emperor" in Chuan Chow, Fu-Jian province (福建泉州) to worship and invite the Ching Dynasty Kang-Shi 7 year "Chuanchow Ma" (泉州媽), who is more than three hundred years old, over to Taiwan for people's worship. And during April 13, 2005 another group was formed by Ching An Temple's Chairman Tung Yung as the group leader, Keelung City Council Vice-Chairman Zeng Shui-Yuan as group honorary chairman, councilwoman Ms. Chang Fang Li as group chairman, along with Ching An Temple's Vice-Chairman Ni Zai-Fu and Huang Jian-Zhi with advisors, and 161 believers to visit Jang Chow, Fu-Jian province (福建漳州) to invite the four hundred fifty two years old Ming Dynasty Jia-Jing 32 year "Jangchow Ma" (漳州媽) over to Taiwan for the people's worship. Through these activities, prosperity and peace has landed upon the people and the city.
The temple is not only used for worshipping the spirit of Matsu, but also used for helping the city's government hold a lot of charitable undertakings, such as: social welfare business, cultural buildings, helping the poor and emergency aid, sponsoring scholarships, and etc. Due to our temple's enthusiastic movements and activities, the temple has received a lot of recognition and awards from the city government each year.
- Tung Yung（童 永）
- Permanent Honorary Chairmanof Keelung Ching-An Temple (慶安宮)
- Address: No.1, Chung-Er Road, Keelung
- Tel: 02-2424-7708
- Fax: 02-2422-5818