Wenchang Temple, Taichung City Introduction
Wenchang Temple in Taichung City is located at No. 100, Wenchang Street, Nantun District. Nantun District was once the living area of the Puyuma people, specifically the Babusa people of Maulushe. After the Qing Dynasty occupation in 1684, Han Chinese settlement increased, and in the fourth year of the Yongzheng reign (1726), successful cultivation led to the establishment of Wanhé Temple (now at No. 51, Section 1, Wanhé Road, a designated historical site) to worship Mazu. This area served as a rest stop between Banxian City (present-day Changhua) and Huludun Street (present-day Fengyuan), known for producing plowheads and other farming tools, hence the nickname "Plowhead Shop Street." According to Volume Five of the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang-era "Changhua County Annals," before the Daoguang era, there were seven Wenchang Emperor temples in Changhua County, one of which was located on Plowhead Shop Street, built by tribute student Zeng Yuyin and others in the second year of the Jiaqing era (1797). This indicates that the "Plowhead Shop Wenchang Temple" was initiated by tribute student Zeng Yuyin in the second year of the Jiaqing era, making it one of the earliest Wenchang Emperor temples established in Changhua County, marking the cultural birthplace of the present Taichung area. Initially, the site was donated by the Jian clan based on their ancestor Jian Huiyi and another ancestor Jian Guixin from Nanjing, with funding raised by tribute student Zeng Yuyin to build the temple at the location of the current Nantun Market, naming it "Plowhead Shop Wenchang Temple," which is the origin of the temple’s name. The organization of the temple as recorded in the 1924 "Religious Registration" includes the establishment of the "Xinan Society" by Chen Rixin in the 19th year of the Jiaqing era (1814). In the 24th year of Jiaqing (1819), the "Tengqi Society" (also known as the Wenlin Society) was established by Zhang Tiande. In the 6th year of the Tongzhi era (1867), the "Chongwen Society" was founded. In the 2nd year of the Guangxu era (1876), the "Daguan Society" was initiated by Chen Jihui from Xue Tian Village, Wuri District. These societies collectively purchased land, and the rental and income generated were used to establish a local school in the Wenchang Temple's side rooms, hiring local scholars to teach, promoting local culture, and nurturing talents. They also held two local examinations annually at the Wenchang Temple, distributing scholarships, thereby fostering local talent and earning the reputation of being the cultural birthplace of the Taichung area. The Daguan Society remains as the only surviving temple society and holds a ceremony at the temple every year on the 10th day of the 8th lunar month. After the cession in 1895, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands became Japanese colonies. In the 31st year of the Meiji era (1898), the temple was used as the school building for "Plowhead Shop Public School," which moved to its current location at Nantun Elementary School in the 38th year of Meiji (1905). Based on the investigations in the Taisho era documented in the "Religious Registration," the temple's architectural layout and land area have developed into a structure facing northeast and backing southwest, consisting of a main hall with a worship pavilion flanked by two side rooms, and a screen wall in front of the temple. The building covers approximately 94 ping, with the overall site occupying about 660 ping, making the temple area quite spacious. The deities originally worshipped included only three statues: Zitong Emperor, Zhu Yi Emperor, and Kui Dou Jun.
