Yunil Catholic Church

Overview

Yunil Church is a church in Pyeongni-dong, Seo-gu, Daegu, belonging to the Archdiocese of Daegu. It was founded as part of the project commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Korea, was first called Pyeongni Church, and on May 19, 1985 was renamed Yunil Church after Saint Yi Yun-il. Its patron is Saint John Yi Yun-il, and its first pastor was Father Kim Gyeong-hwan (Thomas).

History

[Establishment] According to the Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture, following the diocese’s “plan to add churches commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Korea,” it was separated from Bisan Church on November 7, 1982, and its name at the time of erection was Pyeongni Church. The introductory entry states that it was founded on August 23, 1983 as part of the project commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Korea. The directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and the parish information of the Archdiocese of Daegu list its date of establishment as August 23, 1983.

[Church construction and renaming] According to the Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture, to build the church and its annexes, land of about 1,788.42㎡ (541 pyeong) was purchased on October 10, 1983, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 20, 1984. The first Mass was celebrated on November 11, 1984, and on May 19, 1985 the name was changed to Yunil Church after Saint Yi Yun-il. A dedication ceremony was held on January 21, 1986, and on August 16, 2003 a Mass commemorating the 20th anniversary of the erection of the church and the blessing of the small chapel were celebrated.

[Jurisdiction] The Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture lists as its jurisdiction all of Pyeongni-1-dong, Pyeongni-3-dong, Bisan-3-dong and Bisan-6-dong, and parts of Bisan-1-dong, Pyeongni-5-dong and Pyeongni-6-dong, Seo-gu, Daegu. The directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea lists its religious congregation as the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

[Activities and status] The Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture records that a senior college was founded on March 1997 and Yunil College was opened, and that in 2010 a senior rest area and study room were opened. Annual events include the Sunday school winter faith camp, kimchi-making, Family Sunday fellowship lunch sharing, flea market, senior Bible college spring picnic and pilgrimage, Sunday school talent-donor award ceremony and club activities. As of January 2022, the pastor is Father Ju Heung-jong (Andrew Kim Dae-geon) and there are 2,454 registered parishioners.

[Significance] The Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture evaluates Yunil Church as a church founded by the Archdiocese of Daegu to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Korean Catholic Church, a church that recalls the meaning of the 200th anniversary, and a church needed for studying the process of Catholic propagation in Pyeongni-dong, Seo-gu and the status and role of Catholicism in the local community.

Related places and people

• Bisan Church: the mother parish from which Yunil (Pyeongni) Church was separated (Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture).
• Yi Yun-il (John): the saint on whom the church name and patron are based. On May 19, 1985 the church name was changed after his name (Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture).
• Father Kim Gyeong-hwan (Thomas): the first pastor (Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture).

References and sources

1. Academy of Korean Studies, Encyclopedia of Daegu History and Culture “Yunil Church”. Foundation as Pyeongni Church, renaming in 1985, church construction process, jurisdiction, activities and status in 2022, significance.
   https://www.grandculture.net/daegu/toc/GC40004687
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Yunil” (Archdiocese of Daegu). Foundation date 1983.08.23, religious congregation, patron Saint John Yi Yun-il, jurisdiction.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&gubn=4&gyogu=201000021&code=201000876&gubn2=all&char=all
3. Archdiocese of Daegu, Parish Information “Yunil Church”. Date of establishment August 23, 1983, patron Saint John Yi Yun-il.
   https://www.daegu-archdiocese.or.kr/page/area.html?menu=c4&number=73&premenu&srl=church_search