Houpulu Chen Clan Ancestral Hall Introduction
The Chen family is widely spread across Kinmen and is the largest surname in Kinmen, thriving with many descendants, referred to as the "Thirteen Chens." The main ancestral hall of the "Thirteen Chens," the Yingchuan Hall, serves as their grand temple, with the lantern sign reading "Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince." The construction of Yingchuan Hall was initiated in the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900), and it was completed in the 30th year of the Guangxu era (1904). It underwent renovations in the 63rd year of the Republic of China and in the 86th year, a stone archway with four pillars and three openings was built at the entrance by Chen Chongguang, funded by him. The materials and carvings for the archway were sourced from the mainland, featuring intricate designs and decorations, along with a stone yard funded by donations from the clan association secretary, which adds to the grandeur and magnificence of the entire ancestral hall. The main ancestral hall follows traditional wooden construction methods, comprising two levels of nine beams and a layout of three openings. The main wall materials are laid brick walls and flat stone walls. The front door columns and interiors are inscribed with couplets, and the roof is covered with green cylindrical tiles, with the stone carvings mainly using Quanzhou white stone and Qingtou stone. The wooden components feature hollowed-out decorations and paintings. Notably, the golden couplets completed in the second year of the Xuantong era (1910) on the golden column are considered the finest in Kinmen. Additionally, there were 13 successful candidates from the Chen family during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with their plaques displayed in the Zhongxian Temple, which is a significant feature.
