Munsu-dong Church

Overview

Munsu-dong Church is a church in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, belonging to the Archdiocese of Gwangju. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, it was separated and newly established from Dongsan-dong Parish and Seogyo-dong Parish on January 20, 1988, and its patron is Our Lady of Lourdes.

History

[Background of establishment] According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, from the early 1980s, as the Yeocheon petrochemical industrial complex expanded in scale, Yeosu expanded its function as a hinterland city for the complex, and the Munsu-dong area was transformed into a new residential area with a growing incoming population under a large-scale urban development plan. The Archdiocese of Gwangju, which planned a new parish in this area, purchased 500 pyeong of land at 10-3 Munsu-dong on November 1987 and established the parish the following year.

[Temporary church and construction of the church] The encyclopedia states that construction was carried out while Mass was celebrated in a kindergarten run by a believer and in believers’ homes, and a prefabricated temporary church of about 60 pyeong was completed on March 19, 1988, a little over a month after the parish was established. However, because the church was far from the newly developed area and the existing church site could not accommodate all the population and faithful moving into the area, an exchange sale contract for the previous church site was concluded on January 31, 1992, and additional land was purchased on March, securing about 1,240 pyeong at the present parish location. Construction of the new church began on February 16, 1994 and was completed on February 12, 1996 with a total floor area of 816 pyeong, with 1 basement floor and 3 above-ground floors.

[Jurisdiction and successive pastors] The jurisdiction recorded in the encyclopedia covers all of Munsu-dong, Orim-dong, Mipyeong-dong, Dundeok-dong, Manheung-dong, Yeoseo-dong and Ocheon-dong in Yeosu, and the church statistics are 1,432 faithful in 1988, 2,494 faithful in 1992, and 2,827 faithful in 1994. The successive pastors are the first pastor, Sang-su Park Cosmas (1988.1–1989.8), the 2 pastor, Gyeong-cheol Lee Andrew (1989.8–1992.2), the 3 pastor, Hyeok Shin (Daegeon Andrew, 1992.2–1997.2), and the 4 pastor, Hyeong-rak Choe Paul (1997.2–present at the time of writing). The encyclopedia notes that Munsu-dong is emerging as a new administrative and residential area, with a straight road connecting to Yeocheon City running through the middle of the neighborhood, major government offices located there, and apartment complexes under continuous construction, and forecasts continued development of the parish. The Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference directory lists the parish as belonging to the Yeosu District, with the foundation date as January 20, 1988 and the patron as Our Lady of Lourdes.

Architecture and Space

According to the encyclopedia, a prefabricated temporary church of about 60 pyeong was completed on March 19, 1988. The present church, begun on February 16, 1994, was completed on February 12, 1996 with a total floor area of 816 pyeong, with 1 basement floor and 3 above-ground floors. As the site is on a sloping hill, the building was designed inspired by a kite flying in the sky, and it also provides a cultural center capable of hosting exhibitions, performances and lectures, as well as a free meal center for the elderly.

Related Places and People

• Dongsan-dong Parish and Seogyo-dong Parish (Yeosu): Munsu-dong Parish was separated and newly established from these two parishes on January 20, 1988 (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).

References and Sources

1. Institute of Korean Church History, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, “Munsu-dong Parish” (Archdiocese of Gwangju, Vol. 5). Background of establishment, foundation in 1988 and temporary church, completion and design of the new church in 1996, church statistics, jurisdiction, successive pastors.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/2145
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory, “Munsu-dong” (Archdiocese of Gwangju). Foundation date 1988.01.20, patron Our Lady of Lourdes, Yeosu District.
   http://directory.cbck.or.kr/m/catholicInfo.asp?code=201001146&gubun=4