People entering Pui Tak Center on Oct. 8, 1995 for a dedication service.
A Historical Landmark in Chicago Chinatown
Pui Tak Center is located in the former On Leong Association Building. This 30,000 square foot building is Chinatown’s only historical landmark.
Construction and Origin
A symbolic key that reads “Dedication of Pui Tak Center, Oct. 8, 1995” being handed over from Dr. James Lo (left) and Mr. Yeh (center) to our Executive Director David Wu (right).
Constructed from 1926 to 1928, the building was originally built for the On Leong Merchants Association. In 1993, the Chinese Christian Union Church purchased the former On Leong Merchant Association Building, Chinatown’s only historic landmark building, from the federal government.
Since its founding in 1915, CCUC had served its community through English classes, tutoring programs, a Chinese School, a volunteer medical clinic, and Chinatown’s first preschool which is now Pui Tak Christian School. At the dedication of Pui Tak Center in 1995, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the “Chinese Church Gives Landmark a Rebuilt Image.”
Historic Preservation
A view of Wentworth Ave in the early 90s.
Architects Michaelsen and Rognstad worked to bring this building with inspiration from historical Chinese architecture to life. When plans on the On Leong Merchants Association Building were announced in the Chicago Tribune of July 4, 1926, it was called, “One of the most expensive and elaborate buildings ever erected in America by the Chinese.” The Chicago Landmark Commission’s report is available here.
In 2007, the Pui Tak building was selected as one of 25 historic sites in the Chicagoland area to be a part of the Partners in Preservation program sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and funded by American Express. The initial part of the program invited the public to vote online for their favorite site. The site with the highest vote would be awarded the largest grant in the program.
Through an outpouring of support from the community, our volunteers and other supporters, our building was the highest vote getter and received a grant of $110,000. The grant has since been used to preserve the building’s terra cotta façade.
People gathering at the 3rd floor fellowship hall to celebrate the dedication of Pui Tak Center in 1995.
At the opening ceremony of the Pui Tak Center Bookstore in 1998. The bookstore closed in July 2016.
A Community Center for Today
Staff serving as volunteers at a 2020 Chinatown emergency food distribution event.
Today, Pui Tak Center is a church-based community center for all ages where people can improve their English, get better jobs, become citizens, excel in school, prepare for college, receive help with daily problems, deal with immigration issues, fellowship together, and adjust to life in the US.
Our programs focus on serving the 30,000 Chinese living in the Greater Chicago Chinatown community which includes Armour Square (Chinatown), Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Brighton Park, Canaryville, and South Loop communities.
For more information about Chinatown and groups that we are affiliated with, please read our FAQ.