page_title: Ham Tin
section_title: Immaculate Conception Chapel (聖母無原罪小堂)
hierarchical_section_title: Ham Tin / Ham Tin (鹹田) / Important Buildings / Immaculate Conception Chapel (聖母無原罪小堂)
caption_attribution_description: Immaculate Conception Chapel 聖母無原罪小堂
context_page_description: Ham Tin is the name of several places in Hong Kong
context_section_description: Immaculate Conception Chapel, originally founded in 1867 and named Holy Family Chapel, is one of the Catholic churches that is located in eastern New Territories. It was recognized as a Grade III historical building in Hong Kong. 
  At the beginning, many of the indigenous were fishermen and they believed in Tin Hau. Missionaries then arrived at Sai Kung and offered help to the villagers. For 6 years of time, the number of followers has rapidly increased, therefore, the church was rehabilitated and it has expanded its capacity to hold about 200 to 300 people, which was one third of the original capacity. 
  In the 1950s, the population of the villages was at its peak of 600 to 700 villagers, and over 500 people were Catholics. The church had become the largest Catholic church in the area, which had the greatest number of followers in Sai Kung. Therefore, Tai Long Village was once regarded as one of the missionary bases in earlier Hong Kong.
  The existing chapel was built in 1931 and was renamed as Immaculate Conception Chapel in 1954 under the management of another Holy Family Chapel in Chek Keng. In 1979, Hong Kong was attacked by the typhoon, Hope, and the chapel was damaged again. The diocese then decided to renovate the chapel and demolish the original clock tower. However, villagers have started to move out to urban areas or immigrate overseas since the 1960s and the number of followers going to the chapel kept decreasing. The chapel was reopened in 1981 and closed in 1988 at last. 
  But still, whenever a Catholic of the village passes away, priests will return to the chapel and host a mass for them.
caption: Immaculate Conception Chapel
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