Anrak Catholic Church

History & origins

Preparations for Allak Parish began several years before its formal establishment. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, the Diocese of Busan had secured land in Allak-dong, and Dongnae Parish, which then had pastoral responsibility for the area, formed a committee in May 1985 to prepare for the creation of the new parish. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 21 that year, presided over by Bishop Gabriel Lee Gap-su, and fundraising was organized for the construction of the church.

Allak Parish was formally established on February 1, 1986, by separation from Dongnae Parish. Father Albert Park Je-won, the first pastor, set up a temporary tent church, and the first Mass was celebrated there on February 23. The Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help soon joined the community, helping the parish’s pastoral structure take shape.

Construction proceeded in stages. The first-floor hall was completed in June 1987, and on November 29 of the same year the church, rectory, and convent—one basement level and three floors above ground—were completed and dedicated by Bishop Lee Gap-su. With a permanent church in place, adult faith formation and parish organizations became more active, and the community continued to grow.

As Allak grew, it in turn gave rise to neighboring parishes. Jangsan Parish was separated in February 1988 and Tohyeon Parish in July of the same year, with portions of Allak’s registered faithful transferred to the new communities. In the late 1990s, the parish also expanded facilities to include catechetical rooms, a Eucharistic adoration chapel, a senior room, and parking in response to changes caused by urban planning. The history of Allak Parish thus shows a community created to meet Catholic population growth and later helping to extend the parish structure of the surrounding area.