Consider this: a church designed like a mother’s arms embracing the sky. That is Saemoonan Church. It stands as the first organized Presbyterian church in South Korea.
Saemoonan Church’s story began in 1887. Horace Grant Underwood an American missionary founded it. Underwood also established Underwood School now Kyungsin High School and Middle School. He founded Yonhi College now Yonsei University and Severance Hospital. Saemoonan is thus the oldest established church in South Korea. It is known as the Mother Church of Korean Protestantism.
Over the years Saemoonan Church has occupied six different chapels. The latest chapel was built from 2014 to 2019. Lee Eunseok an authority in religious architecture designed it.
The chapel’s design gained media attention. Its unconventional design resembles a mother’s arms spread wide. It also provides much community space. The church significantly modified the architect’s initial design during construction. The unique external facade remained from the original plan. This led to the building’s international recognition.
Saemoonan Church has received multiple accolades in the architecture community. In 2019 it won the Cultural Architecture category of the Architecture Master Prize. In 2020 it was a finalist for the Building of the Year in ArchDaily. It also received the Jury Award in the Religious Architecture and Memorials category of the Architizer A+ Awards in 2020. In 2021 the chapel’s curved surface was on the cover of Phaidon’s The World’s Best Architecture.
Saemoonan Church aims to be a public space. It wants to love its neighbors. The church wants to provide comfort to citizens. Its yard is intended to be a resting place. The church opens itself to neighbors. It does not pursue a closed nature like a monastery. The lobby connects to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. This illustrates the church’s openness. The small chapel will bring back history. It will be used as an open cultural space.
Saemoonan Church was involved in controversies. Rev Lee Sang-hak became senior pastor in 2017. He previously served at Pohang Cheil Church. Lee’s appointment process sparked controversy. He accepted the call without informing his congregation in advance. This led to internal conflicts. Also Lee Sang-hak’s dissertation caused controversy. His views on sin and salvation stirred debate.
Saemoonan Church stands as a testament to faith architecture and community. It welcomes all with open arms like a mother’s embrace.