When Dr. MacKay first settled in Tamsui, with the help from the British Consul and Western merchants, he rented a building which later became his base for missionary, education and medical work. The building, once a horse stable for General Kauhua Sun of the Qing Imperial Court was filthy and leaking when Dr. MacKay paid the fifteen dollars per month rent to owner Tan Ah Soon. But with much effort, the shabby house on the steep hill of 24th Mackay Street soon became Dr. MacKay’s home until the construction of Fort Pu’s* barracks in1876.

In his diary of April 13th, 1872, Dr. MacKay wrote, “Moved into my own rented house, not hard work in doing so. Just two pine boxes and nothing else. I had no bed – no chairs, no table; but O to have even a hut for one’s-self is better by far than Mansions and not be free. Never felt happier in all my life.” It is evident that Dr. MacKay was pleased and at ease with his humble home; one cannot but to esteem him for his ways of simplicity.

During the Qing Dynasty, Mackay Street was originally known as Longmu-Jing (Well of Dragon’s Eye), until the government renamed it to commemorate Dr. MacKay’s contributions in Taiwan. Although the site of Dr. MacKay’s humble home is now only marked by a tour-guiding sign, one cannot help but be grateful for the unknown hardships behind the missionary’s love and dedication.

*Pu: Small hill.