Gaesindong Church

History & origins

Before an independent parish was established, the Gaesin-dong area lay within the broad pastoral territories of western Cheongju. The historical account of Bokdae-dong Parish records that Bokdae-dong was separated from Sachang-dong Parish in 1988 and that, in the mid-1990s, part of Gaesin-dong was still within Bokdae-dong Parish's jurisdiction. This shows the pastoral background in which Catholics in Gaesin-dong were served through a neighboring parish before gaining an independent parish of their own.

Official diocesan information gives January 24, 2003 as the establishment date of Gaesin-dong Parish. From then on, Gaesin-dong was organized as an independent parish within the Diocese of Cheongju, continuing the broader pattern in which the large pastoral territories of western Cheongju were divided as the area grew.

After the parish was established in 2003, Gaesin-dong took shape as an independent pastoral community in western Cheongju. Its history reflects the broader pattern in the Diocese of Cheongju in which large urban pastoral territories were divided as populations shifted and local communities grew. The historical character of Gaesin-dong Catholic Church lies less in an old church building than in the formation of a modern urban parish as an area formerly served by another parish developed into a separate community.