Hundreds of Chinese miners came to the Weaverville area in the 1850’s and prospered despite hardships, discrimination, and a tax on foreign miners. Their first house of worship burned in 1873, and they continued their religious traditions in the present temple, dedicated April 18, 1874. Moon Lim Lee, a trustee and the grandson of one of its contributors, gift-deeded the “Temple Amongst the Forest Beneath the Clouds” to the state.