“Immaculata Conceptio” means ‘immaculately conceived’. Here we are at Cheonjugyo Sinnae-dong Catholic Church. This church has a special feature. It has a Lourdes-like grotto dedicated to the Blessed Mother.
Seoul has many Catholic churches. But this one is the first Seoul church with a Blessed Mother grotto. The grotto evokes a sense of reverence. It reminds some visitors of past hardships.
The number 1858 signifies something important. It marks February 11 1858. This was when the Blessed Mother appeared in Lourdes. 2009 marks something too. It is the year the Sinnae-dong Catholic Church Blessed Mother Grotto was completed.
The grotto is reminiscent of Massabielle Grotto. Many candles are lit here. People must have prayed hard.
Inside Cheonjugyo Sinnae-dong Catholic Church look up. See the stained-glass windows. Notice the depictions of the Holy Trinity. Observe the altar. Light streams down.
The altar seems designed to capture the sacred light. Look closely at the brickwork. The architect paid great attention to detail. Sinnae-dong must have been a place of importance in olden times.
Perhaps that is why the church was built here. The history of Sinnae-dong is naturally woven into this sacred place. Cheonjugyo Sinnae-dong Catholic Church has a rich past.
Choi Jong-geon Michael was the first chief priest. He served from October 8 1992. Kim Jeong-nam Barnaba took over on October 1 1999. Jo Hyeong-gyu, followed him on October 1 2005. Lee Gi-woo Sadoyohan began his service on February 23 2010. Bae Do-dong Daegon Andrea then took over September 2 2014. Lee Chan-il Andrea served from August 27 2021. Choi Dong-jin is the current chief. He has been here since September 5 2023.
The church has also had many assistant priests. GimgHyeong-chan Thomas Aquinas was the first. He started December 5 1999.
Cheonjugyo Sinnae-dong Catholic Church is more than bricks and mortar. It is faith. It is history. It is community.