Doesn’t the name St. Paul Chung Catholic Church resonate with a sense of community? It all began with a group from St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church in Maryland. These founding members sought a new place to worship and build their community. In October 1985, they moved to Virginia.
The first Mass was celebrated on September 28, 1986. St. Bernadette Church in Springfield offered them a temporary home. Pastor Simon Yongsik Park from Wonju Diocese in Korea led the service as their first priest. At that time, the community consisted of 325 households and 1,112 people.
On October 7, 1986, an important decision was made. Bishop John R. Keating of Arlington Diocese officially approved the name St. Paul Chung Korean Catholic Missionary Church. This marked a significant step in their journey. Construction began in October 1995 at the current location in Fairfax, Virginia.
February 1, 1996, was another milestone. Bishop Keating elevated St. Paul Chung Catholic Church to the 61st parish of the Diocese of Arlington. The church thrived and grew. By 2021, it had approximately 6,500 parishioners. They celebrated their 25th anniversary with Fr. Benedicto Taejin Kim and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
The motto of St. Paul Chung Catholic Church is meaningful. It translates to Remembering the Motherland We Left Behind, We Dedicate this Church to the Future of Our Children. This reflects the community’s deep roots and their hopes for future generations. Today, St. Paul Chung Catholic Church stands as one of the largest Korean Catholic parishes in the United States.
Jennifer Hwang describes St. Paul Chung Church as a tight-knit community. It embraces Korean Americans from all walks of life. Even after stepping away from the faith, she found a welcoming community upon her return. Now, she leads religious education and helps the young adult group.
Thomas Hahn, a member since 1991, recalls the groundbreaking ceremony. He watched his children shovel dirt. The church was dedicated in 1995 and became a parish the following year. St. Paul Chung is one of the few parishes among over 100 Korean communities in America.
In 2006, a youth center was built. It included classrooms and a basketball court. The parish proudly funded the building without outside assistance. Currently, St. Paul Chung Catholic Church hosts five Sunday Masses. These cater to its large community of 7,000 parishioners.
Most Masses at St. Paul Chung are celebrated in Korean. Traditional Korean music fills the air. The parish also provides adult education classes and a Korean language school. This helps maintain their cultural heritage. The church broadcasts radio and television programs from South Korea, too.
Visitors to St. Paul Chung Catholic Church should observe the statues around the building. The St. Paul Chung Hasang statue honors the 19th-century saint. He was martyred alongside 103 other Korean martyrs. St. Paul Chung Catholic Church is indeed a vibrant and dedicated community.