Officially registered with the Chinese Protectorate of Penang on 11th October 1892, the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple has had a chequered history colored by the segmentary traits of Southern Fujians. It is essentially a community temple devoted to the worship of Twa Peh Kong (Da Bogong).

Historically the origin of Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple can be traced back to early 19th Century while Khoo Teeau Pang was the founding head of Kean Teik Tong which was formed in 1844. The land of 14,865 sq.ft. of Lot 10(1) (now known as Lot 446), section 21 was granted to Khoo Teeau Pang in 1850. The temple building and nine shophouses could have been built between 1850 and 1867. In 1867, the Penang Riots took place between the two feuding parties, which were Kean Teik Tong and Ghee Hin Secret Society.

The organizational structure of the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple is unique. Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple does not function as a “mother institution” but a Board of Trustees holds the property for the use of the four brotherhood societies, namely, Tong Kheng Seah, Poh Hock Seah, Cheng Hoe Seah and Hokkien Kongsi.

Each of these four organizations appoints four representatives to sit on the Board of Trustees of Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple, making a total of sixteen Trustees. All of there four organizations have their own official offices inside Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple.

The consolidation of these organizations under one roof is an effective means of co-ordination. The temple is at present the physical apex religious society of all the allied bodies.

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