page_title: History of Chinese Americans in Houston
section_title: Religion
hierarchical_section_title: History of Chinese Americans in Houston / Religion
caption_attribution_description: English: Texas Teo Chew Temple Tiếng Việt: Chùa Ông Bổn 中文（繁體）‎: 德州潮州會館本頭公廟 中文（简体）‎: 德州潮州会馆本头公庙
context_page_description: According to the American Community Survey, as of 2013, Greater Houston has 72,320 residents of Chinese origin.
context_section_description: The Texas Teo Chew Temple (德州潮州會館本頭公廟; 德州潮州会馆本头公庙; Dézhōu Cháozhōu Huìguǎn Běntóu Gōngmiào; Vietnamese: Chùa Ông Bổn) is operated by the Teochew people, including those who originated from Vietnam.
  Fo Guang Shan Chung Mei Temple (佛光山中美寺; Fó Guāng Shān Zhōng Měi Sì) is a Buddhist Temple located in Stafford, Texas.
  A Taoist temple, Texas Guandi Temple (德州關帝廟; 德州关帝庙; Dézhōu Guāndì Miào) is located in East Downtown. The temple was established in 1999 by a Vietnamese couple, Charles Loi Ngo and Carolyn, the former originating from China. They decided to build a temple to Guan Yu (Guandi) after surviving an aggravated robbery which occurred at their store in the Fifth Ward. They believed that Guandi saved their lives during the incident. A Vietnamese refugee named Charles Lee coordinated the donations and funding so the temple could be built; Lee stated his motivation was to thank the United States for welcoming him and saving his life when he arrived in 1978. The construction materials and architectural design originated from China. A representation of Buddha and a golden Lord Brahma originated from Thailand. The temple is open to followers of all religions, and it has perfumed halls. Ming Shui Huang was appointed volunteer manager in 2000.
  In 1999 the Houston area had 350 Chinese Catholic families. Ascension Chinese Mission (美華天主堂; 美华天主堂; Měi Huà Tiānzhǔ Táng; 'US-China Catholic Church') originated from a Chinese worship service that was established in the 1970s. The parish was created in 1988, initially operating out of a commercial center in the southwest Houston Chinatown area. It relocated to its current site in Spring 1991.
caption: Texas Teo Chew Temple
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