Hwanggan Catholic Church

History & origins

The Catholic community in Hwanggan began in the mission-station period before the establishment of the parish. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, parish statistics from Okcheon Parish in the early 1910s record the Nogeun-ri and Dangjeo mission stations in the Hwanggan area. Around 1936, Fr. Mélizan of Okcheon Parish closed the Nogeun-ri mission station and established the Hwanggan Mission Station in Namseong-ri, Hwanggan-myeon, continuing the life of the existing local Catholic community.

When Yeongdong Parish was separated from Okcheon Parish in June 1956, Hwanggan Mission Station came under the new parish. Fr. Herbert, the first pastor of Yeongdong, sought to establish an independent parish in Hwanggan because of the size of the Catholic community and secured land for the project. Construction of a church, rectory, and convent began in April 1957 and was completed in September. On October 5 of that year, Hwanggan Mission Station was raised to parish status and Fr. Joseph Waters became its first pastor. The current Diocese of Cheongju parish record gives the same establishment date.

In later decades the parish continued to improve its facilities and broaden its educational and pastoral foundations. An early-childhood education institution reopened in 1989, and in 1996 a new rectory and convent were built while the kindergarten was expanded. In 1999, the Diocese of Cheongju’s “55-Day Chain of Prayer” campaign began at Hwanggan Parish, and in 2002 the community took part in recovery efforts for local residents affected by Typhoon Rusa. These developments show how Hwanggan Parish continued its role not only in the growth of the Catholic community but also in solidarity with the wider local society.