Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall

Did the name “Yanghwajin” ever catch your ear before arriving at the Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall? It means “willow-flower ferry,” a nod to its location on the Han River. The Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall stands on hallowed ground, within the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery. This site commemorates the foreign missionaries who dedicated their lives to spreading Christianity in Korea. The Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall itself was established in 2005 by the Foundation for the 100th Anniversary of the Korean Church. This foundation also manages the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery and the Korean Christian Martyrs’ Memorial Hall in Yongin. The Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall’s purpose is threefold. It protects the cemetery and memorial hall from privatization. It also carries the torch of the first century of Korean Christianity into the future. And finally, it acts as a guide for the next century of Korean Christianity. Interestingly, the Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall doesn’t belong to any single denomination. It was founded by a coalition of 20 denominations and 26 church organizations. This unique structure allows it to maintain its independence and distinct identity. The church experienced remarkable growth, gaining over 1,000 members annually, reaching a total of 8,000. Many joined after becoming disillusioned with their previous churches. The Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall is dedicated to God and the core principles of Christianity, with a special focus on self-denial. This is reflected in their “incommodious” worship style, where the congregation stands during most of the service. Sermons often center on the Gospel of the Cross. Transparency is a cornerstone of this church. Financial reports are printed, distributed monthly, and published on their website. Decisions made by the 79-member standing committee, including 29 clergy, are emailed to 306 district heads for dissemination to their congregations. The Korea Church 100 Junyeon Memorial Hall offers four Sunday services. English translation is available during the second service. They also hold a Wednesday Bible study, a Friday night prayer, and an early morning prayer. This memorial hall is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith, history, and the lasting impact of those who came before.