Meizhi Building

Meizhi Building

Meizhi Building is a Fujian Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Meizhi Building is located within Fuzhou Senior High School in Maiyuan Community, Cangqian Subdistrict, Cangshan District. It was built in the late Qing Dynasty. Originally part of the building complex of the Hopkins School (predecessor of the current Affiliated High School of Fujian Normal University), it was constructed to commemorate Mr. George Blood Smyth, the second principal of the Hopkins School, hence it is also called the “Shi Classroom.” It now functions as the library of Fuzhou Senior High School. Covering an area of 535 square meters, it faces 15 degrees southwest and features a colonial arcade-style architectural design. The structure has three floors above ground and one basement level. It is 27.54 meters long, 19.426 meters wide, and 17.285 meters tall. In 2013, it was listed as a Fujian Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit as part of the “Yantai Mountain Modern Architectural Complex.”

In 1881, the Methodist Episcopal Church received a donation of 10,000 silver dollars from believer Zhang Heling (a native of Nan’an, Fujian, referred to as a “Lujiang resident” in the *Fujian Methodist Episcopal Annual*) to purchase a 14,674-square-meter plot of land at No. 1 Lekun Road, Cangshan, which was the site of the former Union Bank. There, they constructed a new school complex and established the Hopkins School. The completed Hopkins School included buildings such as the Hopkins Building, Meizhi Building, Liley Hall, and the bell tower. Among these, the Hopkins Building is believed to have been the original Union Bank office building, while the others were built later.

The Meizhi Building in the complex, also known as the “Shi Classroom,” was erected in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George Blood Smyth, the second principal of the Hopkins School (who served from 1883 to 1899).

The construction of Liley Hall and its bell tower dates back to 1905. Meanwhile, according to records of the Methodist Episcopal Church’s Fuzhou Annual Conference, the dedication ceremony for the Meizhi Building was held on November 21, 1910. Therefore, the Meizhi Building is believed to have been built between 1905 and 1910.

After its completion, the Meizhi Building was used as offices and classrooms, and it has been well maintained and preserved. It currently serves as the library of Fuzhou Senior High School.

In January 2013, the Meizhi Building was designated as a Fujian Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit as part of the “Yantai Mountain Modern Architectural Complex.”

Maiyuan Community: Maiyuan Community…… More details about Maiyuan Community++