부여 성당

History & origins

The Catholic presence in the Buyeo area can be traced back to the period around the Sinyu Persecution of 1801. After the era of persecution, Catholics from surrounding areas moved into Eunsan, Oesan, and Naesan, and local communities gradually grew. When Geumsari Parish was established in 1901, the Buyeo-eup area came under its jurisdiction.

In 1955, the establishment of Gyuam Parish placed the Buyeo community under that parish as a mission station. In March 1959, local Catholics acquired land at the present church site, and in October of that year they completed a temporary hall. As the Catholic population increased, the need for an independent parish became stronger, and in December 1972 a church, rectory, and other necessary facilities were prepared.

On December 9, 1972, Buyeo Mission Station was elevated to parish status and Father James Yu Bong-un was appointed the first pastor. The church was dedicated on May 29 of the following year. Later developments included the opening of a Marian kindergarten in 1983, renovation of educational and convent facilities, and an expansion of the church together with construction of an education center in 1986.

The history of Buyeo Catholic Church is therefore a gradual development from post-persecution Catholic settlements, through years as a mission station of Geumsari and Gyuam parishes, into an independent parish that progressively built the spaces needed for worship, education, and pastoral life.