Tien Hou Temple was originally Penghu's religious center, and the name "Makung" originated from the Chinese pronunciation of "Matsu Temple." The temple was commandeered for a time to be used as a prison, which put a stop to religious activities for 20 years.
天后宮原是澎湖地區信仰中心，馬公地名便自「媽宮」而來，然而由於此廟一度曾被權充監獄，香火中斷廿年。