Historic_Site

Bethanie Church → Academy's School of Film and Television After three years of restoration, Bethanie has been transformed from a former French Mission sanatorium into the Academy's Landmark Heritage Campus. Background of the site Brief information - Location:139 Pokfulam Road - Constructed in 1875 and restoration was complete in 2006 - Grade I History - Bethanie was built by the Missions Etrangeres de Paris (French Mission) in 1875 and was used by them as a sanatorium for a century - was the first sanatorium in Hong Kong and the far east- The building was sold in the 1970s and used by the University of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1997- Bethanie is reborn as the new home of the Academy's School of Film and Television in 2006 Architecture Merit - The chapel is built in neo-gothic style- the floor tiles in the ground floor corridor and in the chapel were imported form France.- Many special architectural features including flying buttresses, glazed roof, octagonal cowsheds Reason for preservation High historical value- Bethanie was built by the Missions Etrangeres de Paris (French Mission) in 1875 and was used by them as a sanatorium for a century - was the first sanatorium in Hong Kong and the far east Special architectural features and relics- The chapel is built in neo-gothic style- the floor tiles in the ground floor corridor and in the chapel were imported form France.- Many special architectural features including flying buttresses, glazed roof, octagonal cowsheds etc. The public can use the heritage in their daily life and know more about the history of Hong Kong. Advantages of the preservation plan The heritage features has been preserved and retained. the Academy has focused on the heritage and cultural aspects- the Academy has engaged in three years of 'detective' work all over the world and many researches tracking down missing components that disappeared since the building was sold. Most of these components have been found and reinstalled including its stained glass window, the original chapel main alter, reredos, communion rail, sacristy doors. However, eight of the twelve apostle statues originally from the chapel are still missing.- renovation included reinstatement of the original pitched roof - Retro-fitting air-conditioning, fire services, electrics and lighting are included into this historic building without destroying its aesthetic appeal - the exterior architectural lighting will be added so as to illuminate this beautiful architecture in the evenings Historic significance of the site has been reflected and introduced. - the BNP Paribas Museum of Bethanie, has recorded the history of the building and of the French Mission's activities in Hong Kong and Asia. - the Academy publish a historic monograph entitled Bethanie and Nazareth - French Secrets from a British Colony. This 200 page hardback tells for the first time the history of the French Mission in Hong Kong. The heritage serve local community.- nearly all the facilities can be booked through the Academy- BNP Paribas Museum of Bethanie which has recorded the history of the building and of the French Mission's activities in Hong Kong and Asia will be open to the public - The neo-gothic chapel will be used by St John's Cathedral for religious services on Sundays and Holy Days- The neo-gothic chapel is alsoavailable for wedding ceremonies- The public can visit and lease this century monuments when the restoration is completed - people can hold in this wedding ceremonies, conferences, performances, and it even use it for film shooting. Become new landmark and boom tourism. As an arts institution, the Academy has focused on the heritage and cultural aspects of Bethanie possibly to a greater extent than a non-arts end user might have After the preservation, the heritage integrated into the community. The public can use the heritage in their daily life the original appearance of the site has been protected Economic value → since the heritage become new landmark and attract more tourists.