Oksan Catholic Church

Overview

Oksan Church is a church in Chimsan-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City, belonging to the Archdiocese of Daegu. On November 1982, in accordance with the “Korean Catholic Church 200th Anniversary Church Expansion Plan” announced by the Archdiocese of Daegu, it was established on March 21, 1983. Its patron is Saint Paul Chong Hasang, and its first pastor was Father Kim Yeong-ok (John).

History

[Establishment] The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia states that, on November 1982, Oksan Church was established in accordance with the “Korean Catholic Church 200th Anniversary Church Expansion Plan” announced by the Archdiocese of Daegu. Samdeok Church, which was responsible for establishing the church, decided to build a church on the church site prepared by the Archdiocese of Daegu and held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 19, 1983, and on March 21, 1983 it branched off from Goseong Church to establish Oksan Church. The introductory entry states that at that time it was established by separation from Samdeok Church and Goseong Church. The establishment date March 21, 1983 is also listed in the address book of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and in the parish information of the Archdiocese of Daegu.

[Completion and dedication of the church building] According to the Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia, Oksan Church completed a church with a site area of about 2,799.99㎡ (847 pyeong) and a building area of about 1,719.00㎡ (520 pyeong), with 3 stories, and held a dedication ceremony for the new church on March 4, 1984.

[Activities] The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia states that it carried out a love blood donation campaign on February 17, 1991 (25 people participated), and conducted an anti-abortion signature campaign from August 5, 1991 to September 30, with 1 ten thousand 8000 people signing. It founded a Praesidium for boy and girl aspirants to vocations on November 29, 1992, and on July 20, 1998 opened a joint faith school of 4 churches and a mountain school. It held a summer family camp from July 28, 2002 to the 30th, a Hanmaeum sports festival on May 27, 2007, and a Sunday school grace sports festival on May 10, 2009. It also carries out projects such as bazaars, concerts, pilgrimages to holy places, and kimchi-making.

[Jurisdiction and current status] The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia describes the purpose of establishment as evangelization in the Chilseong-dong 1-ga area of Buk-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City, and harmony and peace in the local community. The address book of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea lists the jurisdiction as the entire Chilseong-dong 1-ga and parts of Chilseong-dong 2-ga and Chimsan 2-dong, and the religious congregation as the Mirinae Sisters of the Holy Heart of Our Lady. As of January 2022, the pastor is Father Park Jeong-geun (Theodimo) and registered believers number 1,525 people.

[Significance] The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia evaluates Oksan Church as a commemorative church for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Catholic Church, and as a church established by the Archdiocese of Daegu to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Korean Catholic Church, recalling the meaning of the 200th anniversary.

Related places and people

• Samdeok Church and Goseong Church: the mother parishes from which Oksan Church branched off, with Samdeok Church responsible for establishing the church (Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia).
• Father Kim Yeong-ok (John): the first pastor (Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia).

References and sources

1. The Academy of Korean Studies, Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia “Oksan Church”. 200th anniversary church expansion plan, background of establishment, dedication in 1984, activity history, jurisdiction and current status.
   https://www.grandculture.net/daegu/toc/GC40004685
2. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Address Book “Oksan” (Archdiocese of Daegu). Establishment date 1983.03.21, religious congregation, patron Saint Paul Chong Hasang, jurisdiction.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&gubn=4&gyogu=201000021&code=201000867&gubn2=all&char=all
3. The Archdiocese of Daegu, Parish Information “Oksan Church”. Establishment date March 21, 1983, address.
   https://www.daegu-archdiocese.or.kr/page/area.html?menu=c4&number=68&premenu&srl=church_search