Hwanggeum Catholic Church

History & origins

The background to Hwanggeum Parish was the rapid increase in local population after a large public housing complex of about 3,500 households was developed in Hwanggeum-dong in 1981. A new parish became necessary for the growing Catholic population, and Hwanggeum Parish was established on February 4, 1983, after being separated from Beomeo-dong Parish.

The parish did not begin with a completed church. Soon after its establishment, the first Mass was celebrated in a parishioner's home, followed by the use of a rented basement as a temporary church. Construction began that spring on archdiocesan land, and the church building was completed in January 1984. After supporting facilities such as an education building and convent were added, the church was dedicated on October 13, 1985, by Archbishop Paul Ri Moun-hi.

As the local population continued to grow, parish boundaries were adjusted again. In 1987, St. Andrew Kim Parish was separated and part of Hwanggeum's territory was transferred to the new parish. Hwanggeum's history thus reflects the changing pattern of urban ministry in Daegu: a Catholic community formed with urban expansion, moved from temporary quarters into a permanent church, and later gave rise to another parish.

The parish's first months are recorded in unusual detail. A preparatory organization was formed on February 10, 1983; the first Mass was celebrated in the home of parishioner Yun Jeong-tae on February 27; a rented basement began serving as the temporary church on March 2; and construction of the permanent church began on April 10. Within a short period, the community moved from a private home to temporary quarters and then to construction of a permanent church.