Wagga Joss House
Date Published
: Temples / Joss House, scrub cutting (bush clearing)
: Riverina (NSW/VIC)
: Wagga Wagga
: 1887 to 1939
Wagga Joss House in Fitzmaurice Street.
Site of Wagga Joss House, Fitzmaurice Street.
"The Chinese of this town and their Celestial brethren from all parts of the colony to the number of about 200 have been celebrating the opening of a new "Joss House" in Fitzmaurice-street, every day and night this week."
"A great many townspeople visited the Joss House during the first three days,"
Wagga Wagga Advertiser, 16 June 1887, p.2.
Wagga Hospital subscriptions, 1893 - Kong Fat (for Chinese Joss House) 12 0 0
"Wreckers who started demolishing a Chinese joss house and free mission hall in Wagga found an ancient Chinese living in a back room, totally blind, with long white hair over his shoulders and a beard almost to his knees. His clothes were in rags, and there were a few tattered bags on the floor for a bed. It was stated a Chinese called at intervals and left a supply of flour and rice for the recluse. The building is believed to be the oldest in Wagga, dating back a century. It was at one time the homestead of Henry Sissons and is built of heavy slabs."
Jerilderie Herald and Urana Advertiser, 28 September 1939, p.2.
"CHINESE JOSS HOUSE Old Wagga Building The demolition cf the Chinese Joss House in Fitzmaurice Street, near the Hampden Bridge, is at present under way, and with its demolition will go one of Wagga's most familiar buildings."
"50 years ago a Chinese church was constructed at the rear of the Mission Hall. The church was most elaborately fitted out, but when inspected recent there were few of the original fittings remaining. A huge iron bell and drum were there, however. Both the bell and the drum were inscribed indicating that they had been presented to the church 51 years ago."
Queanbeyan Age, 26 September 1939, p.4.
OLD CHINESE JOSS HOUSE IS NOW AN ULTRA MODERN GARAGE AND SHOWROOM
Chinese drawings and motives are still faintly visible under the motor parts and paint in the old church and temple now used as a store room by the Grand Garage.
Daily Advertiser, 26 June 1954, p.5.
