The temple provided spiritual assistance and a safe harbor to its members. Several artifacts and ritual materials from the temple illustrate the vibrancy of religious life in Old Chinatown. The primary Daoist deity in the temple is Guandi 關帝 or Guanyu 關羽, a figure from the classical period who was elevated to a god. This “Red Faced Warrior” represents righteousness, fraternity, and honesty. Other deities included Tian Hou 天后, the Empress of Heaven, and a semi-historical figure from the 10th century. In America, she is a popular deity and is venerated for saving sailors from storms.  Her other titles include Heavenly Holy Mother, and Mazu 媽祖 , or Mother Ancestor. Erlang Shen 二郎神 is the demon-chaser who embodies justice and righteousness; he has a third eye. Hua Tuo, the medicine god, is also present.     

       Kong Chow Temple played an important role in Tachiu 打醮 ceremonies. These festivals began in 1872 and continued until 1906, and were held to thank the gods, to purify the community, to give food to the needy, to provide incense and cleansing chants to wandering spirits, and to pacify all spirits of the deceased. The first Tachiu festival was held in Los Angeles the year after the 1871 Massacre. 

       The Temple survived the demolition of Old Chinatown and continued to serve the community into the late 1940s. Construction of the 101 Freeway displaced the structure, and the Temple moved to New Chinatown at 931 N. Broadway. Many of the deities from Old Chinatown were resettled to the new location in September of 1960. Today, it remains a formative site for sacred and secular community building and activities.