This single-storey temple was established in 1847 by Chinese Hokkien labourers working on Joseph Balestier’s sugar plantation on the northern fringe of his estate.
Balestier at the time was a swampy area infested with tigers and malarial mosquitoes. In 1843, the problem of plantation workers killed by tigers was at its peak. In such a dangerous environment, these same workers established the temple dedicated to the deity Tua Pek Kong (Grand Old Man) who is believed to be the guardian saint of overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. These new migrants thus relied on him in the perilous early days to bring prosperity, cure disease, becalm the ocean and avert danger. Even now, devotees still come to the temple to pray for peace and tranquillity. In addition to Tua Pek Kong, the temple also has a collection of other deities. One of these is the tiger-lord, believed to help people seek redress from injustices.
Look out also for three stone plaques which mention a brief history of the temple. It states that the shrine was previously called Fu De Tang (the shrine of prosperity and goodwill). Renovations were carried out with contributions from devotees and some of their names are carved on this plaque.
During feasts and celebrations, there will be Chinese opera (wayang) or puppet shows performed at this last freestanding wayang stage on mainland Singapore found only at this temple.
In the past, whenever there was a performance, streams of hawkers would be out selling everything from cooked food to daily necessities. Apparently, there was one stewed duck seller who was especially popular but he has since moved to the Whampoa Market across the road to the hawker centre at Whampoa Drive. These vendors are no longer seen today.