High ceilings and pointed spires mark the spot. This is Myeongdong Cathedral. It is not just a beautiful building. Myeongdong Cathedral holds numerous stories of Korea.
Myeongdong Cathedral stands as a symbol of the Catholic Church in Korea. It is also the Cathedral Church for the Archdiocese of Seoul. The first Catholic community in Korea gathered here in 1784. At that time, this place was known as Myeong-Nae-Bang.
Construction on the church began in 1894. On May 29 1898, the church was consecrated. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In 1900, relics of martyrs were moved here. They had been persecuted in 1839 and 1866. The relics came from Yong-San seminary.
In 1942, Father Rhee Ki-Jun became the first Korean parish priest. Bishop Rho Ki-Nam was the first Korean Bishop. He was raised to the episcopate here. On Liberation Day in 1945, the Cathedral’s name changed. It went from Chong-Hyen to Myeongdong.
The Myeongdong Cathedral is more than just a religious site. It played a role in Korea’s democratic movement. In the 1970s and 1980s, it became a focal point. It was important for the expansion of human rights.
Today, Myeongdong Cathedral continues its work. It reaches out to the global community. It does this through prayer and missionary work. The Myeongdong Cathedral was the first brick church in Korea. It was built in the Gothic style. The Myeongdong Church is a designated historic spot. It is No. 258. Its architecture holds significant historical value.
Walking around Myeongdong, you see a soaring Gothic-style cathedral. Myeongdong Cathedral may not be as grand as those in Europe. It might not be as large as religious facilities in China or Japan. Yet it holds numerous stories of Korea.
Catholicism entered Korea as a study. It was not initially a religion. It was called “Western Studies” or simply “Western Learning”. Envoys brought Western knowledge to Korea. They had visited the Ming Dynasty. This gradually spread “Western Learning”. Catholicism taught equality. This was regardless of social status, gender, or class. It quickly spread in Korean society.
The government did not tolerate Catholicism then. It executed many Catholic believers. There is a place in Korea called “Jeoldusan.” It means “mountain of severed heads.” About eight thousand Catholic believers were beheaded there. Catholicism faced persecution. Finally, it was recognized as a religion. This happened through the 1886 Korea-France Treaty.
The construction of Myeongdong Cathedral faced challenges and delays. The cornerstone was laid on May 29 1898. Its official name is the “The Cathedral Church of Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception.”
The cathedral was built in the Gothic style. This style has high ceilings and pointed spires. It also has elongated pointed arch windows. Sunlight filters through stained glass windows inside. Looking down from above, it has the shape of a Latin cross. The remains of five saints and four martyrs lie beneath the cathedral.
The cathedral symbolized Korea’s declaration of religious freedom. It became intertwined with Korea’s modern history. It faced many trials.
During the Japanese colonial period, there were attempts to remove the bell. It was in the cathedral’s bell tower. Also, Archbishop Gustave-Charles-Marie Mutel had pro-Japanese inclinations. Korean Catholics could not participate in independence movements. Mutel even declared that Ahn Jung-geun was not a Catholic. Ahn Jung-geun was a prominent independence activist. Mutel ordered priests not to give him absolution.
During the Korean War, the cathedral narrowly escaped being bombed. The US military proposed bombing the area. This was to remove communist forces. Korean Catholics opposed this. The plan was cancelled. In the 1970s and 1980s, the cathedral played a central role. This was during the democratization and labor movements. It provided sanctuary for activists and the marginalized. Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan was prominent among them.
Today, Myeongdong Cathedral has transformed. It is now a beautiful tourist destination. It is also a popular wedding venue for Korean Catholics. Its history remains remembered. You can see this through signs scattered throughout the area.