Page 26 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN COUNCIL
1963 - 1964

I. INTRODUCTION
The growth of Hong Kong during the past 10 years has produced many
impressive statistics and this is as true in the sphere of Christian
development as in any other.
A Church survey recently conducted by Rev. Loren E. Noren shows the
following statistics which might help to present a clear picture on Church
development in Hong Kong:

a. Number of churches: There are 344 congregations (worshipping
places) with a total membership of 112,200 (adults).

Number of churches: Hong Kong 88 Number of membership H.K.43,900
Kowloon 163 Kln.47,820
N.T.______ 93 N.T.20,480
Total: 3 4 4 Total: 112,200

In 1955, there were only 53,000 church members. This means that in
the past 8 years, the increase of church membership is 111%! an increase
on a compound basis of 11.3% per year for 8 years. Among these 344 churches,
there are actually 23 denominational groups of whom 8 have more than 5,000
members each, and these 8 groups have 73% of all the church members as
mentioned.

b . On basis of church membership: There are 95 churches which have
more than 300 members each, and 66 churches have 100-300 members each,
while 76 below 100 members and 107 no data.

c. Years of founding of the churches:

1843 - 1940 - 39 churches (which have more than 300 membership)
1941 - 1950 - 10
1951 - I960 - 45
_1 (no data)
Total: 95

The above statistics indicated the rapid development of the churches
during past 10 years.

d. Church premises: (215 churches answered to this question)

permcnant building 89
Apartment 97 total: 215
roof top 22
in schools 7

The Chinese Churches Union, which has been established in Hong Kong
for over 40 years, has a membership of some 60 individual churches. But
the Union limits itself to co-operative programmes among the local churches,
and membership is opened to Chinese-speaking churches only. The Hong Kong
Christian Council* now in its tenth year, has a membership of 19 major
church denominations and leading Christian organizations, and aiming at
the furtherance of the Gospel by strengthening the local churches in a
united effort to witness to Christ. The work of the Council has been
concentrated on tne promotion of the ecumenical movement among all Christians
and in expressing our common concern for the needs of society by concerted
action against socicil evil. However, the Hong Kong Christian Council is not
a super-structure, oocause it cannot legislate for its member churches, nor
act for them unless requested to do so, but exists to bring them into closer
association.

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