A school that began inside a temple.
Yuanlin Elementary was approved on November 18, 1898, and formally established on December 15 that year as "Yuanlin Public School" (員林公學校) — founded specifically to serve children from the neighboring rural villages. Its first classes were held inside the local Guangning Temple (廣寧宮), popularly known as "Wangye Temple" (王爺宮). Over its long history the school has relocated five times, including a 1946 requisition of its site by the provincial government, before settling at its current address in 1986. Today it is one of the oldest schools in Changhua County, still serving Yuanlin City's children.
員林國小於1898年（明治31年）11月18日獲准設立，同年12月15日正式創校，初名「員林公學校」，設立宗旨即為服務鄰近鄉村子弟。創校初期借用地方廟宇廣寧宮（俗稱「王爺宮」）作為校舍。學校歷史上曾五度遷址，其中1946年校地一度被省政府徵用，最終於1986年遷至現址。如今員林國小已是彰化縣歷史最悠久的學校之一，持續服務員林市的學童。
What makes this school worth knowing.
🏛️ Born Inside a Temple
廟宇中誕生
The school's very first classroom was inside Guangning Temple, known locally as "Wangye Temple" — a striking origin that ties Yuanlin Elementary directly to the community's folk-religious life.
🏺 Over a Century of History
超過百年校史
Founded in 1898 under Japanese-era rule, Yuanlin Elementary is among the oldest schools in Changhua County, having witnessed the full sweep of modern Taiwanese history.
🚚 Five Moves, One Mission
五次遷址
The school has relocated five times over its history — including losing its site to a provincial government requisition in 1946 — before finally settling at its current campus in 1986.
Rooted in temple and village life.
The school's origin inside the community temple Guangning Temple (廣寧宮) reflects the deep folk-religious and communal roots of education in old Yuanlin, where local temples often doubled as the first schoolhouses. See the Changhua county page for more on the region.
Find the school.
No. 221, Sanmin East St., Yuanlin City, Changhua County 51044, Taiwan
彰化縣員林市三民東街221號
School's Official Website (Chinese) ↗
Last updated: July 2026 · Content adapted and condensed from the school's official Chinese-language website by the Taiwan Bilingual Hub team, not yet reviewed by the school. If you're from Yuanlin Elementary and would like to correct or expand this page, please contact us.