Munheung-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Munheung-dong Church is a church in Munheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, belonging to the Archdiocese of Gwangju. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia and the Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia, it was separated and established from Duam-dong Parish on February 7, 1991, and the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia records St. Matthias the Apostle as the parish patron. It began as the Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel and was elevated to a parish.

History

According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, in early 1989, the Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel was established centered on the faithful living in the Munheung-dong and Gakhwa-dong areas and in the Duam-dong and Usan-dong areas under the jurisdiction of Duam-dong Parish. For the development of this area and the future establishment of a parish, the diocese purchased 803.8 pyeong of land at the present parish site on March 31 of that year. The Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia records that on March 31, 1989, it purchased 2,651㎡ of land at 274-1 in Munheung-dong to establish the Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel, the predecessor of Munheung-dong Parish, and held a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Father Michael Na on October 16 of the same year.

The faithful of the mission chapel completed ancillary facilities such as a temporary church, a catechism room and an office, and on May 7, 1990 celebrated the dedication ceremony of the mission chapel and the first Mass officiated by Archbishop Victorinus Yun Gong-hui (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia). Afterwards, Fathers Nallon, Kenny and O’Neill (Cheon) of the Columban Missionary Society visited Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel to celebrate Mass, and as expected at the time of its establishment, housing sites and apartment complexes were built in the Munheung-dong area between 2 and 3, causing the incoming population to surge.

Accordingly, the diocese actively promoted the division of Duam-dong Parish, elevated the Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel to a parish on February 7, 1991, and appointed Father Simon Im Byeong-tae as the first pastor (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia). Shortly after taking office, Father Im founded the parish bulletin on February 15, and from the beginning worked for the settlement of the parish by promoting fellowship among the faithful, expanding and revitalizing devotional associations, retreats, operating a Bible college, and opening the “Munheunggol Aine Study Room.” On February 22, 1992, the Munheung-dong branch of the Sisters of Charity of Seton was opened, and on September 1 of the same year the first issue of the monthly “Munheunggol” was published.

According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, in 1992, after surveying all parishioners on building a church, the “Church Construction Promotion Committee” was formed on November 29 of the same year. Construction of the church proceeded smoothly after a groundbreaking ceremony on February 25, 1994, and on November 26 of the following year a church with a site of 760 pyeong, a total floor area of over 1 thousand pyeong, and 1 basement floor and 4 above-ground floors was completed and dedicated. The Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia records that the church was rebuilt and a dedication Mass was celebrated on November 25, 1995, so the two sources differ on the dedication date. The Korean Catholic Encyclopedia notes that the cultural center on basement floor 1 contributes to the hobbies and cultural life of the faithful and local residents. The Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia records that in 1994, following the establishment of Seosan-dong Church, parish registers of 180 households and over 500 persons were transferred.

According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, the parish operated a youth counseling center to help resolve young people’s concerns and guide them, and groups such as 2 curiae and 41 praesidia of the Legion of Mary, as well as the Yeondohoe, youth group, altar society, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, choir, Ultreya, M. E., Munheunggol editorial department, St. Anna Association, St. Mary Association, St. Joseph Association and Cana Association are active.

Religious Significance and Visiting Context

The Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia explains that Munheung-dong Church was established to spread the Gospel centered on Munheung-dong in Buk-gu, Gwangju and in the Jangdeung-dong, Unjeong-dong and Mangwol-dong areas, Usan-dong, Duam-dong, Gakhwa-dong and parts of Cheongpung-dong. The Korean Catholic Encyclopedia gives its jurisdiction as parts of Munheung-dong, Gakhwa-dong, Duam-dong and Usan-dong.

The parish statistics recorded in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia are 3,126 persons in 1991, 4,275 persons in 1993, and 5,136 persons in 1995. According to the Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia, the parish’s religious congregation is the Sisters of Charity of Seton.

Related Places and People

• Duam-dong Church: the parish from which Munheung-dong Parish was separated in 1991.
• Seosan-dong Church: established in 1994, it received the transfer of parish registers of 180 households and over 500 persons from Munheung-dong Parish (Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia).

The successive pastors listed in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia are as follows. First, Simon Im Byeong-tae (1991.2–1996.8), 2th, Paul Jeong Hyeong-dal (from 1996.8, listed as “present” in the encyclopedia).

References and Sources

1. Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, “Munheung-dong Parish.” Confirmed separation and establishment from Duam-dong Parish on February 7, 1991, patron St. Matthias the Apostle, jurisdiction, parish statistics, successive pastors, the mission-chapel period and elevation to parish, and completion of the church in 1995.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/2168
2. Digital Gwangju Culture Encyclopedia, “Munheung-dong Church.” Confirmed land purchase and establishment of the Munheung-dong Catholic mission chapel in 1989, dedication ceremony and first Mass in 1990, elevation to parish in 1991, transfer of parish registers to Seosan-dong Church in 1994, dedication of the church in 1995, and jurisdiction.
   https://gwangju.grandculture.net/gwangju/toc/GC60003267