The Chung Mei Home

By Mervin Belfils

The Chung Mei Home (“Chinese American”) opened June 30, 1935 at the intersection of Hill and Elm Streets.  It was a home for Chinese boys whose families were unable to care for them.  The boys who were raised there were highly disciplined, motivated, and hard working. Photo EC Historical Society Collection

The Chung Mei Home was constructed just off Elm and Hill Streets in 1935 for boys of Chinese heritage whose parents could not take care of them. This home was built on property that once was the dairy of the Heidie family. Close by was the Canepa family nursery on Blake Street. They had a number of hothouses which have since been torn down and subdivided at what is now known as the Justice Tract.

The Chung Mei Home was first located in an old wooden building in Berkeley, but had to move into larger quarters. The boys in the home, with lots of hard work, were able to raise part of the money to build larger premises. With the help of fine citizens of the Bay Area, they were able to raise the remaining money to buy property and build this new home in El Cerrito.

Under the direction of Dr. Charles Shepherd, the Director and Supervisor of the home, all of the children turned out to be first class students, responsible and very nice children. The children, marching every school day from the home to the local schools, were very courteous and careful not to disturb any homeowner's property.

The citizens of El Cerrito were very proud of Dr. Shepherd and the work he had done taking these children under his wing.

In later years the Chung Mei Home had been turned over to the Western Baptist Bible Church.

Note: From its very start in 1923, the boys published a (mostly) monthly publication The Chung Mei Chronicles which gives a fascinating view of the Chung Mei Home.

Additionally, through the generosity of Phil Chan, Chung Mei Alumnus, we have a collection of (many are hand-colored) Chung Mei Lantern Slides documenting activities of the home and its residents.

Copyright Mervin Belfils, October 1975 +
Copyright El Cerrito Historical Society, June 2006-22