Yonggye Catholic Church

Overview

Yonggye Church is a church in Yonggye-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City, belonging to the Archdiocese of Daegu. It was founded on September 3, 1993 and its patron is Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon. In 1994, the year after its foundation, it began construction of an underground church and completed the underground church on December of the same year.

History

〔Foundation and first Mass〕 The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia states that Yonggye Church was founded to practice the sanctification of families and neighbors and the revitalization of mission, and gives the foundation date as September 3, 1993. The same foundation date is listed in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea address directory and in the Archdiocese of Daegu parish information. The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia records that the first Mass at Yonggye Church was celebrated on December 5, 1993.

〔Early activities in 1994〕 According to the Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia, on January 30, 1994 parishioners held a New Year inter-group yutnori game with 9 teams, on February they held the first catechist training of Yonggye Church, and on April 24 they appointed the first pastoral council chairs. From July 25 to the 27th they held a parents’ retreat for the summer mountain school, began construction of the underground church on September 26, and completed the underground church on December. The same entry records December 3, 1994 as the day of the first Easter feast courtyard celebration and the first Baptism ceremony with 9 persons, and records that on December 11 there was a general meeting of the Saint Paul Association.

〔Later history〕 According to the Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia, on January 1, 1995 Yonggye Church held its first First Holy Communion, and on May 30, 1999 it held the groundbreaking ceremony for the church building. On June 6, 2003 it held a pilgrimage for the 10th anniversary, on December 20, 2005 the graduation ceremony of the Yonggye Senior College, and on March 3, 2008 a Yeondo prayer gathering.

〔Jurisdiction and status〕 The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea address directory lists the jurisdiction as Geumho Riverside Road, Dongchon-ro and part of Yonggye-dong, and the number of faithful as 1,682. The Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia records that there is currently 1 parish priest and about 1,929 registered members, and that Hope, Love and Joy groups are organized. The Love group includes the pastoral council, district council, small Christian communities, Sunday school and choir, and the Hope group is said to set goals by year and have time for reflection.

References and Sources

1. Academy of Korean Studies, Daegu History and Culture Encyclopedia “Yonggye Church”. Foundation and first Mass in 1993, construction of the underground church and early activities in 1994, groundbreaking ceremony for the church building in 1999, and current status.
   https://www.grandculture.net/daegu/toc/GC40020976
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Address Directory “Yonggye” (Archdiocese of Daegu). Foundation date 1993.09.03, patron Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon, number of faithful, jurisdiction.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&gubn=4&gyogu=201000021&code=201000869&gubn2=all&char=all
3. Archdiocese of Daegu, Parish Information “Yonggye Church”. Foundation date September 3, 1993, patron Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon.
   https://www.daegu-archdiocese.or.kr/page/area.html?menu=c4&number=69&premenu&srl=church_search