Bok Kai Temple
Encyclopedia
The Bok Kai Temple is a traditional Chinese temple located at the corner of D and First Streets in the city of Marysville, California
, and served as the center of what was a bustling Chinatown
(at least for a small town, not comparable to that found in San Francisco or other large cities).
, a temple was erected in Marysville to serve the immigrant population. The year was 1854, and the foremost of the gods that were worshiped was Bok Eye
, the god of water, who had the power to control the rains.
The original temple was destroyed by fire, and was replaced in 1880. The temple remains a primary focus of the present Marysville Chinese community, who have dedicated themselves to preserving the temple. The Bok Kai Temple is the only one honoring the god Bok Eye in the United States.
and as a protected property on the National Register of Historic Places
. A Bok Kai festival and parade is held annually in the spring, during which time the temple is opened for ceremonies as well as for interested parties to tour. Other tours may be arranged by contacting the Temple caretaker.
Marysville, California
Marysville is the county seat of Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 12,072 at the 2010 census, down from 12,268 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area, often referred to as the Yuba-Sutter Area after the two counties, Yuba and...
, and served as the center of what was a bustling Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
(at least for a small town, not comparable to that found in San Francisco or other large cities).
History
Five years after the first contingent of Chinese arrived in California to work the gold mines during the California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
, a temple was erected in Marysville to serve the immigrant population. The year was 1854, and the foremost of the gods that were worshiped was Bok Eye
Xuan Wu (god)
Xuan Wu , posthumously known as The Dark/Mysterious Heavenly Upper Emperor , as well as True Warrior Grand Emperor , and commonly known as The Northern Emperor or Emperor Lord or Teh Kong in Hokkien...
, the god of water, who had the power to control the rains.
The original temple was destroyed by fire, and was replaced in 1880. The temple remains a primary focus of the present Marysville Chinese community, who have dedicated themselves to preserving the temple. The Bok Kai Temple is the only one honoring the god Bok Eye in the United States.
Current use
The temple is infrequently used as an active place of worship, but is preserved as both a California Historical LandmarkCalifornia Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
and as a protected property on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. A Bok Kai festival and parade is held annually in the spring, during which time the temple is opened for ceremonies as well as for interested parties to tour. Other tours may be arranged by contacting the Temple caretaker.
External links
- Bok Kai Temple - Friends of the Marysville Bok Kai Temple
- Bok Kai Festival - Chinese Community of Marysville, California