Followers of a rural Hong Kong village church have expressed concerns over the loss of their community building set to be demolished for the government’s ambitious Northern Metropolis project. About 100 Christians, who gathered at the Communion Lutheran Church – the only church in the Kwu Tung North area – for the Sunday service, wrote petition letters on the spot to express their concerns about the relocation arrangement. The church is located in the Kwu Tung North village slated for redevelopment into a new town centre, which is expected to house 131,600 people and provide 38,700 job opportunities.
Reverend Andrew Luk Chun-yiu of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong said it had yet to receive an exact date on the relocation or demolition and residents in the area were only told they needed to move as early as May this year. He said the government offered HK$12 million (US$1.53 million) in compensation for the plot of land, along with HK$400,000 roughly in ex gratia compensation. But the church rejected the offer and asked for a relocation site instead. “HK$12 million can be used to buy a small flat in Hong Kong. How can we house around 100 people for a worship service? … We hope to have a new site to establish a church,” he said.
The villagers of Kwu Tung North are facing uncertainty and anxiety as they grapple with the impending demolition of their beloved church. The community, deeply rooted in their faith, sees the church not just as a place of worship but as a central hub for social gatherings and support. The prospect of losing this significant landmark has stirred emotions and sparked a united front among the churchgoers who are determined to fight for their right to a new place of worship. The government’s offer of compensation, though substantial, falls short of meeting the spiritual and communal needs of the villagers, leaving them with a sense of injustice and displacement.
As the deadline for relocation looms closer, the residents of Kwu Tung North find themselves at a crossroads, torn between the promise of development and the preservation of their community ties. The battle for a new church site symbolizes more than just a physical structure; it represents the struggle to maintain a sense of belonging and identity in the face of rapid urbanization. The followers of the Communion Lutheran Church stand firm in their resolve to continue their spiritual journey together, even if it means challenging the authorities and navigating uncertain terrain. The road ahead may be rocky, but their faith remains unwavering as they hold on to hope for a new beginning.
