Gyesandong Catholic Church

History & origins

Before the parish was established, Catholics in Gyesan-dong belonged to parishes in the Bupyeong area. In 1962 local Catholics secured a hall and, with the permission of the responsible priest, established Gyesan-dong Mission Station. As new parishes were created and boundaries changed, the mission station was transferred to Bupyeong 1-dong Parish in 1964 and to Galsan-dong Parish in 1977.

As the number of Catholics increased, the mission community organized a pastoral council and prepared for an independent parish. Gyesan-dong Parish was established on February 25, 1981, after separation from Galsan-dong Parish, and Fr. Roman Theisen became its first pastor. The community initially continued to use the mission-station building, but later that year acquired a new site, built a rectory in December, and used its second-floor meeting room as a temporary church.

Construction of a permanent church began in March 1986. After the first phase was completed that December, the community moved worship into the basement hall. The entire church was completed in November 1989, and the dedication was celebrated on May 5, 1990. The progression from mission station to parish, through several temporary worship spaces and finally to a permanent church, reflects the rapid population growth and Catholic expansion of the Gyesan area.

The parish also strengthened lay organizations and invited a religious community to assist in pastoral work. The history of a small mission station becoming an independent urban parish and building its own church remains essential for understanding the character of Gyesan-dong Parish today.