새희망교회

“A single act of faith.” These words echoed in Horace Grant Underwood’s mind as he stood before a small gathering in 1887. Right here, at Saemoonan Church, history was being made. Saemoonan Church wasn’t just a building. It was a testament to the burgeoning faith taking root in Korea. This humble beginning marked the birth of the first organized Presbyterian church in South Korea, a moment that rippled through the nation’s spiritual landscape. Underwood, a visionary American missionary, not only founded Saemoonan Church but also established other significant institutions like Kyungsin High School and Middle School, Yonsei University, and Severance Hospital. Saemoonan Church, often called the “Mother Church of Korean Protestantism,” quickly became a beacon of hope and a center for community. Figures like Kim Kyu-sik, Ahn Chang-ho, and Choi Hyeon-bae, prominent figures in modern Korean history, found solace and inspiration within these walls. Saemoonan Church’s physical presence evolved over time. Six different chapels have housed this vibrant congregation, each reflecting the changing times. The most recent chapel, completed in 2019, stands as a unique architectural marvel. Designed by Lee Eunseok, a renowned expert in religious architecture, its design evokes the image of a mother’s outstretched arms. This striking design has garnered international acclaim, even gracing the cover of Phaidon’s “The World’s Best Architecture” in 2021. It became the first church building to win the Cultural Architecture category of the Architecture Master Prize in 2019. The church’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Controversies surrounding pastoral appointments and theological interpretations have tested the church’s resilience. Yet, through it all, Saemoonan Church has remained a steadfast presence, a symbol of faith and community in the heart of Seoul. As you stand before Saemoonan Church today, take a moment to reflect on the seeds of faith planted here over a century ago. Those seeds have blossomed into a vibrant legacy, shaping not only the religious landscape of Korea but also its cultural and social fabric.