Nanyang Sacred Union, Singapore

Nanyang Sacred Union, Singapore (30 July 2017)

Nanyang Sacred Union (GPS: 1.29455, 103.84163) is a temple dedicated to the worship of Confucius located along River Valley Road, Singapore. It occupies an ensemble of three buildings that includes the mansion of Teochew tycoon Seah Song Seah. Designed in the traditional Teochew style by Almeida & Kassim in 1896, the property at 253 River Valley Road was completed in 1903. Also completed at around the same time are the properties to the left and right, Nos. 251 and 255. The ensemble is in the Nanyang Chinese shophouse style that developed from the mid-1860.

The property has an elaborate Teochew-style entrance gate that is often found in the houses belonging to wealthy Teochews of the late 19th century. Aside from Seah Song Seah, other Teochews whose houses also have such entrance gates include Seah Eu Chin, Tan Yeok Nee, Wee Ah Hoo and Seah Boon Kang.

The Nanyang Sacred Union was established as the Straits Sacred Union in 1914. It purchased the property at River Valley Road after the Second World War. In 1949, the Straits Sacred Union renamed itself to Nanyang Sacred Union. Of the three buildings in the ensemble, the centre one is dedicated to Confucius, the one on the left, at no. 251, to the Goddess of Mercy, while the one on the right, no. 255, to Lao Tse. It is the only edifice dedicated to Confucius in Singapore.

Taking the MRT to Nanyang Sacred Union

The nearest MRT station is the Fort Canning MRT Station (CC8), which is 400 meters away on foot.

Nanyang Sacred Union is on the Map of River Valley Road, Singapore

Nanyang Sacred Union is on the Map of Chinese Temples in Singapore