Chilgok Catholic Church

History & origins

Current information from the Archdiocese of Daegu records April 9, 1957, as the establishment date of Chilgok Parish. At that time the Chilgok area had not yet developed into the large northern urban district of Daegu that it is today, and the parish became an independent pastoral center where local Catholics could regularly celebrate Mass and the sacraments.

As the community grew after the parish was founded, the church itself was rebuilt. A Catholic Times report from 1967 states that construction of a new church began on May 13 and that its blessing and completion ceremony took place on October 20. The new church was about 130 pyeong in size. Father Ernst of Seongju Parish contributed substantial construction funds, while about 1,350 members of Chilgok Parish took part in volunteer labor.

The record shows that the early development of Chilgok’s church building depended not only on outside assistance but also on the direct work and cooperation of the local faithful. Although urbanization and the creation of new parishes later changed the surrounding area, Chilgok has continued its parish role on the historical foundation of a Catholic community established in the 1950s.