주교좌 계산성당

History & origins

The roots of Gyesan Parish reach back to Catholic villages formed in northern Gyeongsang Province by believers fleeing persecution and to the pastoral visits of missionaries serving those communities. According to the Archdiocese of Daegu, when Fr. Robert was assigned in 1885 as the missionary responsible for Gyeongsang Province and took up residence at Sinnamugol, the mission-station community was elevated to Daegu Parish. As the Catholic community subsequently became established in the city of Daegu, the foundation was laid for what would become Gyesan Cathedral.

Fr. Robert secured the present church site in 1897, and in 1899 a cross-shaped church in traditional Korean architectural style was completed. That church, however, was destroyed by fire in 1901. Construction of a new brick church soon followed, supported by donations and volunteer work from the faithful as well as assistance from abroad. The new building was completed in late 1902 and consecrated on November 1, 1903.

In April 1911, when the Apostolic Vicariate of Daegu was separated from the Apostolic Vicariate of Korea, Gyesan became the cathedral church. As the number of Catholics increased, an expansion beginning in 1917 raised the towers and enlarged the transepts, and the enlarged church was consecrated again on May 11, 1919. Through this work, the church acquired the scale and architectural form associated with its role as a cathedral.

The church was designated a national Historic Site on September 25, 1981, and a major restoration in 1991 repaired the roof, brickwork, windows and doors, stained glass, and other elements. In 2025 the parish commemorated the 140th anniversary of its establishment. The history of Gyesan Cathedral thus brings together in one place the evangelization of Daegu that grew from Catholic villages, the establishment of the local ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and the construction and preservation of its cathedral church.