Korean Methodist Church

Thanksgiving Sunday 1953 marked the humble beginning of the Korean Methodist Church of Boston. Inside Boston University’s Marsh Chapel, around forty Koreans gathered. This wasn’t just a church service. It was a reunion, a haven for Koreans scattered across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The Korean Methodist Church wasn’t just for Methodists. Rev. Pak Daeseon, a former professor at a Methodist seminary in Pyongyang, recalled the diverse group. Catholics, Buddhists, and non-believers all joined in worship. This demonstrated the church’s role as a unifying force for the Korean community. Rev. Pak, who had only been in the United States for a year, recognized Boston’s growing importance as a hub for Korean intellectuals. He, along with other graduate students, including Harvard law student Dr. Ko Kwang-lim, founded the church. It was a place of comfort and spiritual haven. This small group held significant influence within the burgeoning Korean community. The Korean Methodist Church moved several times in its early years. Its location depended on where the current pastor, often a graduate student, attended university. For the first decade, services were held only once a month. The church provided a space for fellowship, Christmas parties, and picnics. These events brought together Koreans from across New England, fostering a sense of community in a new land. After Rev. Pak completed his doctorate in 1955, he returned to South Korea. He became a professor at Methodist Theological University in Seoul. He later served as president of Yonsei University, one of Korea’s oldest universities. The Korean Methodist Church continued to evolve under the leadership of subsequent pastors, each a graduate student navigating the challenges of building a community. Under Rev. Ahn Sang-yeop in 1964, the Korean Methodist Church gained stability. Regular weekly services began, and the church adopted articles of association. This marked a significant step towards becoming an established institution. The Korean Methodist Church eventually found a permanent home in Brookline in 1967, where it continues to thrive today. It has served as a testament to the resilience and faith of the Korean community in Boston.