Noam-dong Cathedral

History & origins

As the Catholic population of Gangneung increased, a new church was needed south of the Namdaecheon River, and Bishop Thomas Stewart built the present church. It was dedicated on September 5, 1987, and named in commemoration of the Holy Innocents. The diocesan history records it as the first church in Korea to be dedicated under this title.

Noam-dong Parish was established on October 23 of the same year, separated from Imdang-dong and Okcheon-dong parishes. At the time of its establishment, its territory included Noam-dong, parts of Naegok-dong and Ipam-dong, Wolhopyeong-dong, Sinseok-dong, and parts of Gujeong-myeon and Gangdong-myeon.

The parish boundaries were later adjusted after Ipam Parish was separated, and Noam-dong came to serve mainly the area west of Yulgok-ro and south of Gangbyeon-ro from the Gangneung intersection. Its pastoral territory thus changed as the urban parish structure of Gangneung became more subdivided.

Geumgwang-ri Mission Station, which remains under the parish, is regarded as an old center of Catholic evangelization in the Gangneung area. The history of Noam-dong Parish therefore links the creation of a modern urban parish with continued care for the much older Geumgwang-ri Catholic community.