A towering presence of faith welcomes you. The story of Presbyterianism in Korea is rich and complex. It begins long before any grand structures rose to the sky. We are standing before \uc5d8\ub9bc\uc7a5\ub85c\uad50\ud68c. It is a local church. But its history is linked to the broader story of the Presbyterian Church of Korea.
The Presbyterian Church of Korea has its roots in the late 19th century. Some historians trace its origin to the Sorae Church. It was established in the early 1880s. Seo Sang-ryun founded it. Others point to the Saemoonan Church. American missionary Horace Grant Underwood established it in 1887. The Presbyterian Church of Korea wasn’t officially formed as an independent Korean church until 1907.
Early missionaries played a crucial role. Robert Jermain Thomas brought Calvinism to Korea in 1865. He was martyred. Later, Horace Newton Allen was admitted to the royal court. He served as a physician. In 1885, Horace Underwood and John W. Heron arrived. They established the Korean mission church. John Ross translated the Bible into Korean.
Many missionaries arrived from different countries. They included James Scarth Gale and Joseph Henry Davies. Samuel Austin Moffett also came. These early missionaries helped to spread Presbyterianism throughout Korea.
In 1900, the first Korean presbyters were elected. They were Sŏ Kyŏng-cho, Kim Chong-sŏp, and I Yŏng-dŭn. The following year, Kil Sŏn-chu and Pang Kich’ang were elected. In 1901, Samuel Moffett founded the Pyongyang Theological Seminary. The Great Pyongyang Revival of 1907 further intensified Presbyterianism’s spread.
On September 17, 1907, the Presbyterian Church of Korea became independent. This happened with the approval of missionaries and presbyters. The church was reorganized into seven sub-presbyteries. In 1912, the first General Assembly of the PCK took place in Pyongyang.
During the colonial period, the church faced challenges. The Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 brought restrictions. Christians were suspected of political motives. They were often arrested. The colonial government placed sermons under scrutiny. Bible studies were limited in schools. Despite these difficulties, many Presbyterians were involved in the March First Movement of 1919.
After World War II, the church was reconstructed. It adopted the name the Reformed Church in Korea. In the 1950s, the Presbyterian Church of Korea experienced schisms. These divisions were over theology and ecumenism. One division led to the formation of the Presbyterian Church of Korea. This was due to disagreements about bowing to Shinto shrines.
Another division occurred in 1953. Progressives formed the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea. In 1959, a major schism divided the church into two sections. These were the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Presbyterian Church in Korea. The main issue was whether to join the World Council of Churches.
Today, the Presbyterian Church of Korea continues to play a significant role in Korean society. It has a long history of faith, service, and social engagement. \uc5d8\ub9bc\uc7a5\ub85c\uad50\ud68c stands as a testament to this enduring legacy. It is a place where faith is nurtured. It is a place where community is built.