“When did we start building this church?” someone asks. We are standing in front of \uc30d\ubb38\ub3d9\uc131\ub2f9. This church has a story to tell.
\uc30d\ubb38\ub3d9\uc131\ub2f9 began its journey in 1908. It was created to spread the word to the Seosan region. This area is part of Chungcheongnam-do Province.
Originally Sugok Parish Church stood in Gong-ri. This was in Guhang-myeon, Gyeolseong-gun. The first priest, Desideratus Polly also known as Sim Eung-yeong was appointed.
In 1934, the fifth priest Peter Barrausx bought the site. He completed the church building in 1937. The church features a bell tower. An arch-formed entrance welcomes visitors. This entrance appears at the nave and aisle parts.
Three circle-formed oxeye-windows add to the design. The windows are graded by height. The porch and bell-tower create a flat plan. They do not stick out.
Let’s step back to understand Catholicism’s broader story in Korea. Catholicism began in Korea in 1784. Yi Seung-hun was baptized in China. He took the Christian name Peter. He returned to Korea. He brought religious texts. He baptized many Koreans. The church grew without formal priests.
The Joseon dynasty targeted Catholics in the 19th century. They opposed ancestral worship. The state saw this worship as vital to Korean culture. Despite persecution, the Church expanded.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Korea formed in 1831. In 1962, the Church created three Metropolitan Provinces. Each had an Archdiocese and Dioceses.
In 1899, the Sinch’uk Rebellion caused a massacre. Confucian-led rebels killed 500 to 600 people. This was in reaction to tax exemptions promised by lay-assistants. Catholics had also desecrated spirit-shrines after French priests arrived.
In 2023, South Korea had almost six million Catholics. They made up 11.3% of the population. Almost 5,000 priests and 9,000 nuns served in 1,842 parishes.
The Catholic Church in Korea has grown. It rose from 7.9% to 11.3% of the population between 1997 and 2021. The public views the Church positively. It played a role in South Korea’s democratization. It actively participates in social welfare. It respects interfaith relations and Korean spirituality.
South Korea has fifteen dioceses. These include Seoul, Daegu, and Gwangju archdioceses. There is also a military ordinariate.
Pope Francis visited South Korea in 2014. He beatified 124 Korean Catholic martyrs.
Catholicism in South Korea is unique. It embraces traditional Confucian customs. These customs form part of Korean culture. South Korean Catholics practice ancestral rites. They observe Confucian customs.
\uc30d\ubb38\ub3d9\uc131\ub2f9 stands as a testament. It represents faith, resilience, and community. As you leave, remember the stories embedded in its walls. This church continues to serve its community. It carries a legacy of faith and service.