Byeondong Catholic Church

Overview

Byeondong Church is a church in Seo-gu, Daejeon Metropolitan City, belonging to the Diocese of Daejeon. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, on August 28, 1986 it was separated and established from Goejeong-dong Parish and Doma-dong Parish, and its patron is the Korean Martyrs.

History

[Establishment] According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, Byeondong Parish was established by receiving the transfer of parish registers for 737 persons from Goejeong-dong Parish and 563 persons from Doma-dong Parish, 1,300 persons in total, following local development. The first pastor was Fr. Jeong Ho-yeong (Roberto) (1986.8~1992.8), and the pastor No. 2 was Fr. Kim Gi-ryong (John the Apostle) (from 1992.8 to the time of writing). Its jurisdiction covered all of Byeon-dong and Nae-dong, and parts of Gajang-dong, Doma 1 and 2-dong, and Goejeong-dong.

[Temporary church and new construction] According to the encyclopedia, in September 1, 1986 construction began on the parish site of 398 pyeong purchased by the diocese, and later that same year, in November 9, a prefabricated temporary church of 87 pyeong was built. In October 19, 1986, the ‘Queen of Maegoe’ Curia, overseeing 16 Praesidia of the Legion of Mary, was founded, and in July 1, 1987 a church construction promotion committee was formed, raising building funds for more than 2 years. The following year, after additionally purchasing a site of 255 pyeong in August 31, new construction began in April 25, 1989. Because the prefabricated temporary church stood within the new building site, a tent church was built nearby in April 30, 1989 and used temporarily, and later that same year, in October 16, the parish moved into the newly completed basement 1 floor of the new church.

[Rectory, convent and dedication of the church] In July 15, 1990 a rectory (72 pyeong) was built, and the following year, in August 20, a convent was completed and a branch house of the Virgin Marian Association was established at the same time. More than 3 years after construction began, in July 31, 1992, a church with 1 basement floor and 3 above-ground floors, totaling 814 pyeong, was completed, and the following year, on May 5, its dedication ceremony was held (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).

[Parish statistics and organizations] The parish statistics recorded in the encyclopedia are, in 1986, 1,835 persons; in 1990, 3,085 persons; and in 1995, 4,317 persons. At the time of writing, the parish had 23 lay apostolic groups, including 2 Curiae with 40 Praesidia under them of the Legion of Mary, a choir, altar servers, altar society, vocation support group, Holy Spirit prayer group, Scripture study group, Anna Association, Mothers’ Association, and Sangji Association, and was focusing on a drive to double parishioners and on revitalizing small Christian communities.

[Directory record] The directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea lists Byeondong Parish as belonging to the Daejeon South District, with foundation date on August 18, 1986 and patron the Korean Martyrs. Its foundation date differs by ten days from that in the encyclopedia (August 28, 1986).

Architecture and Space

According to the encyclopedia, in November 9, 1986 a prefabricated temporary church of 87 pyeong was built, and in October 16, 1989 the parish moved into the completed basement 1 floor of the new church. In July 15, 1990 a rectory (72 pyeong) was built, and in August 20, 1991 a convent was completed. In July 31, 1992 a church with 1 basement floor and 3 above-ground floors, totaling 814 pyeong, was completed, and on May 5, 1993 its dedication ceremony was held.

Related Places and People

• Goejeong-dong Parish and Doma-dong Parish: the parishes that transferred parish registers for 737 and 563 persons respectively when Byeondong Parish was separated and established (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).
• Fr. Jeong Ho-yeong (Roberto): the first pastor of Byeondong Parish (1986.8~1992.8) (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).

References and Sources

1. Research Institute of Korean Church History, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Byeondong Parish” (Diocese of Daejeon, Vol. 5). Established in 1986, transfer of parish registers, temporary church and completion of the church in 1992 and dedication in 1993, parish statistics, successive pastors.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/2530
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Byeondong” (Diocese of Daejeon). Foundation date 1986.8.18, patron the Korean Martyrs, Daejeon South District.
   http://directory.cbck.or.kr/m/catholicInfo.asp?code=201000684&gubun=4