The Amoy Mission--1840-1951 (Main Page)

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Copyright 2001-7 by Sue Brown & Dr. Bill
Note: Please click thumbnails for larger photos!! Amoy Hill's Photos

Note: This photo of May, 2007 RCA China Missionary Reunion (from eWendell & Renske Karsen) shows some RCA folk are still around--and we need their help! Click here!

China's "1st" Protestant Church China's first Protestant Missionaries were in Taiwan from 1626-1662. None survived.

Until the first Opium War forced China open almost 200 years later, missionaries worked with Chinese in other Asian countries. Most of these "Overseas Chinese"' ancestors were from South Fujian, especially Quanzhou, so they spoke South Fujian dialect (aka Amoy Dialect--much like Taiwan dialect). Missionaries learned Amoy Dialect, not Mandarin Chinese, so when China opened up, they headed to where they could speak the language--Amoy, in S. Fujian, start of ancient the Maritime Silk Route.

Contrary to popular history, most foreigners opposed the opium trade, and missionaries like Dr. John Otte made great efforts to suppress it. They also helped China modernizemedicine,education, music and arts, etc. Xiamen (mainly Gulangyu), was the "Cradle of Tropical Medicine," and the home of pioneering doctors like Patrick Manson, "Father of Tropical Medicine" (Gulangyu is called the "Cradle of Tropical Medicine") and Dr. Lin Qiaozhi, educators, musicians and artists, sports pioneers--you name it, our tiny island had a part in it.

I wrote briefly about foreigners' contributions to Xiamen in some of my books, but recently officials have asked me to write more indepth accounts of their lives and work. But it is hard to find old books and records here in China as many were destroyed.

Providentially, just as I despaired of pulling this project together, I began receiving e-mails from people around the planet such as Joanne Finley, granddaughter of Dr. John Otte and daughter of Major Frank Otte, and Dr. Roger E. Koeppe, who was born in Gulangyu's Hope Hospital in 1922.

I am especially indebted to Joann and Jack Hill, whom we met in Florida in August, 2007, for their stories and dozens of photos! Joann was born in Hope Hospital on Gulangyu. Joann is the daughter of the Veenschotens, who served in Amoy (Zhangzhou- Chang Chow) from 1917 until 1951. After college, Joann returned to Xiamen in the 1940s with her physician husband and served in Tong'an until expelled in 1951.
Jack and Joann introduced me to other fascinating folks like 96-year-young John Muilenburg, who taught at Xiamen University in 1947 (Read about him in "Charisma--The John Muilenburg Story: Minister, Missionary, Sailor," by Joan F. Miles). Thru the Hills I also learned about Robert Schuller's Uncle Henry Beltman, who served in Amoy (read "90 Years with Uncle Henry," by Henry Beltman), and Joseph Esther (refer to "This is the Way, Walk Ye In It," by Joseph Esther"). I am also thankful to Girard Veenschoten, M.D., for his fascinating vignettes of old Amoy.

Gerald F. De Jong's "The Reformed Church in China 1841-1952" was extremely valuable, but there were hundreds of others from many other denominations serving here. Can you help?

Please Help the "The Amoy Mission Project!" Please share any relevant biographical material and photos for the website and upcoming book. All text and photos will remain your property, and photos will be imprinted to prevent unauthorized use.

Thanks!

Dr. Bill   Xiamen University MBA Center
E-mail: amoybill@gmail.com
Snail Mail: Dr. William Brown
Box 1288 Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian PRC   361005

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