The Antiquities Authority on Friday declared the Main Building of Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital and Kwong Fook Tsz as monuments.

The hospital at Western Street in Sai Ying Pun that opened in 1922 offered maternity services for Chinese women and trained Chinese midwives using modern methods.

The main building has been serving as a community centre since 1961 – shortly after the hospital was relocated.

"The Main Building of Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital exemplifies the co-operation between Chinese community leaders and Western medical professionals in the early development of maternal health services in Hong Kong," a statement read.

The hospital established by the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee is one of the few surviving structures related to the group.

The iconic red-brick structure built on a coursed rubble plinth features a spiral staircase inside and a granite portico at the main entrance.

As for Kwong Fook Tsz – or Pak Shing Temple – that was built in 1895, it used to provide refuge and medical services for the sick, poor and elderly in its early years, and contributed to the establishment of Tung Wah Hospital.

The structure in Sheung Wan adopts a rare three-hall-one-bay layout with a two-courtyard design among local temples.

It stores soul tablets of Chinese workers who passed away in the earlier years, and enshrines deities such as Chai Kung.

"The temple demonstrates the inseparable ties and cohesion among the Chinese community during the early period of Hong Kong and is of great historical significance," the statement added.