Daeso Church

Overview

Daeso Church is a church in Osan-ri, Daeso-myeon, Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, belonging to the Diocese of Cheongju. It was established as a parish on June 30, 1997 and its patron is St. Joseph. It is introduced as a parish committed to migrant worker ministry, reflecting local conditions in the Daeso-myeon area where many foreign workers reside near industrial complexes.

History

[Establishment] According to the Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia, Daeso Church was established as a parish on June 30, 1997, with Father Shin Seong-guk (Noel) taking office. In 2001, Father Lee Won-sun (John) took office, and in 2003, Father Kim Tae-eon (Joseph) took office. The Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference directory and the Diocese of Cheongju parish information also record the establishment date as June 30, 1997.

[Migrant worker ministry] The Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia states that industrial complexes have been built around the Daeso-myeon area, that many foreign workers reside there, and that they have no suitable place to turn to about cultural differences, communication difficulties, and unfair working conditions. It states that Daeso Church strives to share their difficulties and focuses on missionary activities for migrant workers, explaining that through this it works to help migrant workers gain spiritual stability and together resolve the difficulties they experience in a foreign country.

[Organization and current status] The Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia states that although its history as a parish is short, it devotes itself to evangelization through Mass and choir activities. It states that the Lay Council, Liturgy Committee, General District Council, Teachers’ Association, Mothers’ Association, Monica Association, Marian Association, Legion, Parish Pastoral Council, Wansuk Golrom Association, Volunteer Service Group, Choir, Requiem Association and others are organized and active, citing an interview with Father Kim Tae-eon on October 2007 as a reference. The Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference directory lists Daeso Parish under the Eumseong District of the Diocese of Cheongju, giving its patron as St. Joseph and the number of Catholic mission chapels as 0.

Related places and people

• Samsung Church: The Samsung Church entry in the Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia states that Samsung Church was established to preach the Gospel and celebrate Mass in the Samsung-myeon and Daeso-myeon areas.

References and sources

1. The Academy of Korean Studies, Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia, “Daeso Church.” The parish establishment on June 30, 1997, appointed priests, migrant worker ministry, organization and current status.
   https://www.grandculture.net/eumseong/toc/GC01101812
2. The Academy of Korean Studies, Digital Eumseong Culture Encyclopedia, “Samsung Church.” The fact that the Daeso-myeon area is included in the purpose of establishing Samsung Church.
   https://www.grandculture.net/eumseong/toc/GC01101828
3. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory, “Daeso.” Establishment date June 30, 1997, patron St. Joseph, Eumseong District, number of Catholic mission chapels.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&gubn=4&gyogu=201000023&code=201000977&gubn2=all&char=all
4. The Diocese of Cheongju, Parish Information, “Daeso Church.” Establishment date June 30, 1997, patron St. Joseph.
   https://www.cdcj.or.kr/parish/parish/view/23032