Pui Tak Center – Chinese Christian Union Church, Chicago

2025 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation

The Pui Tak Center, a church-based community center in Chicago’s historic Chinatown neighborhood, recently underwent a large-scale restoration in preparation for its centennial in 2028. The building — designed by Chicago architects Michaelsen and Rognstad in the Chinese Eclectic architectural style — has been used for a variety of purposes since it was constructed in 1928, including as a shrine site and immigrant assistance center. The Chinese Christian Union Church (CCUC) purchased the building in 1993 and renamed it the Pui Tak Center (PTC). In Chinese, “pui tak” means to “build character” or “cultivate virtue.” The center, which is informally known as Chinatown’s “City Hall,” serves over 3,500 individuals through its various programs. It is also the only landmarked building in Chinatown. The recent preservation project, spanning from 2022 to 2024 and costing $950,000, included tuck pointing and other masonry repairs as well as restoration and replacement of terra cotta and repairs to the building’s defining canopy. This was just one of several large-scale restoration projects that have taken place on the building since the church took ownership of it. CCUC and PTK have continuously worked to raise necessary funding for these preservation efforts, including seeking out available grant funding and state and city funding. As the center nears its centennial, it aims to raise additional funds to restore the building’s storefront and roof and complete other necessary repairs. Overall, CCUC and PTK want to raise awareness about the building’s history and that of Chinatown as well as the untold struggles and resilience of Asian Americans.

(Before, during & after restoration. Photo credit: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.)

Additional Information

The recent project was supported by a $250,000 Chicago Adopt-a-Landmark grant and $250,000 capital grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Pui Tak has undergone previous restoration projects in the past 20 years, including a $500,000 project in 2008 and 2009 to restore the building’s terra cotta and another $500,000 project in 2019 to install new HVAC systems and a flat roof. The 2008/09 project was supported by a $100,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

(Pui Tak’s distinctive canopy following restoration. Photo credit: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.)

Project Principals

• Chinese Christian Union Church, Owner
• Pui Tak Center
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Architect
• Bulley and Andrews, Masonry Restoration

(Window heading after restoration. Photo credit: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.)

Why is this place important to you?

David Wu, Executive Director of Pui Tak Center

There are very few sites and districts related to the Chinese American and Asian American experience that have received historic or landmark recognition. This is partially due to the wider society overlooking the importance of immigrant communities. There may also be a lack of awareness of how and why a site or district should be recognized. There is also misinformation about preservation designation, so owners are cautious that it will place unwanted restrictions on the use of the properties. While the primary work of Pui Tak Center is to serve the needs of vulnerable individuals and families in Chinatown, I realize that we are housed in the most prominent building in Chicago’s Chinatown, which has also played a preeminent role in the community’s history. For many years, the building was closed off from the community. Even though it is now open for CCUC’s religious programs and Pui Tak Center’s community services, some people in the community and most tourists don’t know about the building’s history. It is my hope that recent recognition, such as receiving the Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s 2025 Preservation Excellence Award and our listing in the National Register of Historic Places in September 2025, will make more people curious about the building, the history of Chinatown and the struggles and resilience of Asian Americans.

(Missing terra cotta on the upper tower before restoration. Photo credit: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.)

How did saving this place impact people in your community?

David Wu, Executive Director of Pui Tak Center

While significant preservation work was completed in 2024, the building has been in continuous use since 1995. Two of the building’s storefronts are rented to gift stores that cater to visitors to Chinatown. The remaining parts of the building are jointly used by the Chinese Christian Union Church and Pui Tak Center. The church uses the space for its Mandarin worship and ministries. Pui Tak Center uses the building for its Adult Education/ESL, Children and Youth and Community Services (Immigrant Welcoming Center, Hope Counseling Services and Disability Services). Each year, over 3,500 individuals benefit from Pui Tak Center’s services. As the On Leong building approaches its centennial, CCUC and PTC have been more aware of the continual need to preserve the building. Due to limited funds, it seems that the best strategy has been to complete preservation work in phases. The completion of the recent project, as well as the building’s nomination to the National Register, is building positive momentum for the building. Hopefully, the building’s centennial gives the Chinatown community an opportunity to reflect on its past, consider whether additional structures or a district should seek historic designation and plan together for its future.

(Before and after corner masonry repair. Photo credit: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.)