Consider how Catholicism found its way to Korea. It was not through missionaries initially but through translated books. These books written in Chinese characters sparked an interest among Korean scholars. This interest soon blossomed into religious belief.
One of these scholars Lee Seung-hun was baptized in Beijing in 1784. Upon his return to Korea, he baptized others. Kim Beom-woo Yi Byeok Lee Jon-chang Jee Hwang Choi In-gil and Choi Changhyun were among the first Catholics in Korea. The first Catholic community formed at the house of Yi Byeok near Supyogyo. The growing number of believers soon made Yi Byeok’s house too small. The gathering moved to Kim Beom-woo’s house in Myeongraebang now Myeongdong in the winter of 1784.
However, the early Catholic community faced prosecution in 1785. Despite this the faith persisted and spread even amidst harsh conditions. Finally, in 1831 Pope Gregorio XVI designated Chosun as an Apostolic Vicariate. He entrusted the propagation and pastorate responsibilities to the Foreign Missionaries of Paris. Even after this designation, the Korean Catholic Church faced more persecutions. The Kihae Persecution in 1839 and the Byeongoh Persecution in 1846 tested the church. Yet the work of reconstruction and priestly formation continued.
In 1845 Fr Kim Daegeon became the first Korean priest. Fr Choi Yangeob followed ordained in 1849. Bishop Simeon-Francois Berneux established Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Baeron in 1855. This seminary was dedicated to priestly formation and education. Bishop Berneux also established two woodblock printing houses in Seoul. These houses translated and published religious texts.
After the Korea-France Treaty in 1886 missionary work gained some freedom. Following the dedication of Myeongdong Cathedral in 1898 churches were built nationwide. As the number of believers grew the Apostolic Vicariate of Daegu was established in 1911. It was separated from the Apostolic Vicariate of Chosun. The Apostolic Vicariate of Chosun then became the Apostolic Vicariate of Seoul also called the Apostolic Vicariate of Kyeongseong. Its jurisdiction included the northern part of Chungcheong-do.
In 1920 the Apostolic Vicariate of Wonsan was established. It covered Hamkyeong-do and the Gan-do region of Manchuria. Hwanghae-do was designated an Apostolic Vicar Forane in 1928. Korean priest Kim Myeongje became the first Vicar Forane. The Korean Catholic Church grew rapidly. A Beatification Mass was held in Rome in 1925 for 79 martyrs killed during the Kihae and Byeongoh Persecutions. In 1936 the fourth parish church in Seoul was built in Yeongdeungpo.
The Church faced another difficult period during the Japanese colonial era. After the start of the Pacific War in 1941 the Japanese government arrested foreign missionaries. They tried to replace them with Japanese clergies. Bishop Andrien-Joseph Larribeau resigned as Apostolic Vicar of Seoul. Fr Roh Gi-nam became the first Korean bishop and the 10th Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Seoul. The Apostolic Vicariate of Seoul became independent from the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. Bishop Roh Gi-nam also took on the role of Apostolic Prefect of Pyeongyang and Chuncheon. He led the Apostolic Vicariate of Seoul during these trying times. The Jayang 2 dong Catholic Church stands as a testament to this enduring faith.