Where the shop comes from McClanahan
“This space and the McClanahan building are owned by the Foundation of the Church of Christ in Thailand. The approximate area starts from this building and ends at Rarin Jinda Wellness Spa Resort for this building last year. The Foundation has assigned McCormick Hospital to be its caretaker. The hospital management team has We had a meeting and the initial ideas for this building were 2 types: 1. Make a clinic. There was a part where we had to think about what kind of clinic it would be. And about the standards that will follow, the second type is to turn it into a coffee shop. After considering for a while, we came to the conclusion that it would be better to open a coffee shop. Its purpose is to preach and spread the Christian story. along with earning income The story told with this building focuses on the foundation's mission. By using images of buildings from many places. The area is displayed as a photography exhibition. This store opened on December 9, 2022. It will be one year in a few months.”
History of buildings and land next to Nawarat Bridge Head
“To begin with, Prince Kawila gave this land to the American Presbyterian missionary group to live in. This area therefore serves as a residence. and is a place for treatment, selling medicine, and spreading religion to local people This building was built in 1921 as a Health Center for treatment and medicine. Enough with McCormick Hospital The missionaries gave this building to the hospital to take care of, probably around 1950, after which it was turned into a library. and has a Christian book printing house As we know, there is no clear document specifying the time. But from hearsay When it was a book warehouse and printing house This building was maintained by the Chiang Mai Region 1 Church Office, after which the building was converted into an office. Let the McCain Institute for the Elderly come in and take care of you for a while. Followed by the youth agency of the Church Council in Thailand, using it as Creative Youth, and then a church network from South Korea renting it for use. When the contract expired, the foundation assigned McCormick Hospital to take care of it. If talking about the structure of taking care of the area This area will be called Christian Place. There will be a committee appointed by the Foundation to take care of it. Whatever you do, any changes must be approved by the committee. and notify the Foundation
The origin of the name of the coffee shop
The name of the shop, McClanahan Coffee, is the name of a missionary. Dr. McClanahan (MD) Harry M. McClanahan (1856-1929)) was an early missionary. Same generation as Dr. McKean (Dr. James W.McKean (1860-1947)) who came to Chiang Mai. Then came to set up the Help Center here, which Dr. McClanahan You should have been the one who started building this building.
Building conditions, renovations and exhibitions in the cafe
When we entered the building, the condition of the building was quite dilapidated. The management had an architect come and evaluate the renovations and we told them what the coffee shop would be like. But on the ground floor, we would like to keep it in its original condition. Management's objectives And the committee wants to keep the original things as much as possible, like the thick wall you see here. to hang a picture or put it up there Some points will be difficult to hold. Because it's old cement The wooden ceiling that you see is the same as before. When improving, we thought and take care of this place like you take care of a museum To preserve the value of the building Don't change anything if it's not necessary. Now, in addition to the atmosphere of a coffee shop that you see There will be an exhibition section that brings old photos. or pictures of beautiful buildings in the foundation network from all over the country to display. Actually, the exhibition is not yet complete. We are currently discussing how we can tell more about our mission. The story of the missionaries who came to Chiang Mai in the pioneering era may be further displayed. The information from that era is very interesting. Both historical stories that can be arranged into a timeline, photographs made from glass prints made by missionaries at that time are quite available and very beautiful, or the history of Dr. McClanahan. According to records, there are very few and very short, even though they were contemporaries with Dr. McCain. It should be put on display. or even information about this building, even though there is only the year it was built with details of its use in that era It is considered interesting.
In the service section, you will notice that all employees wear hospital branded shirts. They are all employees of the hospital. They just didn't take care of the patients. But I come to work here specifically making coffee.
Feedback coffee shop
Asked if more people know each other? There are more. Actually, this area is like being in a temple area. Asking if it was new would be strange. Both for the foundation itself and for those who come to use its services. For example, today is Wednesday. The store has a 50% discount and there will be a lot of people. Personally, I think it's also because of the era. Nowadays, coffee shops in old areas are popular with people.
Actually, the management has set goals. That is, we give importance to preaching work. (Christianity announcement and mission: Composer) and the matter of income is a matter that follows. It is considered another way to help raise money for the foundation. In order to use it for the benefit of the mission, in the future we are considering that there might be a campaign to help poor patients. It is something that has been thought about but is still waiting to be considered. As for the exact future of this area, including the area around McCormick Hospital. We also look at becoming a conservation area. We support that direction.
Memories with San Pa Khoi
I'm not from Chiang Mai, I can speak the city, I've lived here for a long time. Came to Chiang Mai to study Mathayom 1 and attended Prince Roy School in 1982. As far as I can remember, San Pa Khoi for me Not a tourist attraction It's more of a pass. Passing through to go to the main commercial area at Tha Phae. Across the bridge, it is considered the Center Point of the retail zone around Tan Traphan Tha Phae. This area is the area that sells agricultural equipment. There are shops that have been around for a long time, like Sin Xiang Li and things like that.
For me, the territory of San Pa Khoi should start from this building. The Wat Ket area begins around Rarinjinda, a gathering of people who feel strong. And it really is a community. There were objections about the city plan of the Wat Ket area (circa 2005-2007: compiler) and complaints about noise from the Terng Institute. This was a long time ago, probably 20 years ago.
Changes and future pictures of San Pa Khoi
Changes with Chiang Mai city are difficult to say as well. For example, moving from Tha Phae to Nimman, it was a trend that had been going on for a while. Like right now, it's in a row. The old area like Chang Moi has begun to spread to San Pa Khoi. Which is a hint that the walkers are starting to move out. and renting out more and more. If you were to look at what San Pa Khoi would be like in the next ten years, what would it be like? I think we have to start by asking what the policies or development projects for this area are that have been put in place, such as the municipality or city planning laws. How did he write it? I've also heard that it will be developed into an old city. But I don't know for sure. And old buildings, old houses It began to be dismantled. It's been improved a lot. No matter what you do, it's a shame. I think that if it were to really develop, it would need to be publicized. or talk clearly Because nowadays, on holidays at San Pa Khoi, cars park for a long time. It's already a place to relax on holidays. People come to drink coffee and eat food because there are starting to be more and more of these shops. which is good for the bustling trade and sales in the area But the future is uncertain because it is a trend.
