계림동 성당

About this place

Gyerim-dong Catholic Church is a parish church of the Archdiocese of Gwangju in Dong-gu, Gwangju, within the Gwangju East district. The Catholic Church Directory in Korea records the parish as established in 1964 and names St. Philip as its patron. Local historical sources explain that it was separated from Bukdong Parish that year and that, as the community grew, it developed its church and facilities for education and community life.

The history of Gyerim-dong extends beyond liturgy and ordinary parish ministry into its relationship with the surrounding community. The parish opened Franciska Kindergarten in 1971 and took part in early-childhood education. It is also recorded as the site of a public Mass on June 23, 1980, in the aftermath of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, celebrated by Fr. Pio Cho Cheol-hyeon with many priests, religious, and lay faithful in attendance. This episode is one example of how the local Catholic community responded to the pain and public concerns of its time.

Today Gyerim-dong remains a parish where Mass, the sacraments, catechesis, and community life take place, while its history also connects it with Gwangju's modern civic memory. Understanding the parish's formation, educational work, and engagement with local society gives a fuller sense of the significance of the church.

Official source