장위동성당

History & origins

As housing development and population growth transformed Jangwi-dong, local Catholics began discussing a church of their own in 1967. In 1968 they celebrated Mass in the home of Paul Oh Seok-geun and organized a Catholic association to prepare for a parish. On October 18 that year, Jangwi-dong Parish was established from parts of Mia-dong (today Gireum-dong) and Imun-dong parishes.

The early community worshiped in buildings still under construction and in temporary facilities, completing a temporary church in November 1969. Continued growth led to another church project beginning in 1972, and a one-story church was completed and dedicated in May 1973. Education and meeting facilities were later expanded.

When a still larger church became necessary, construction began in April 1984, and a new three-story church with a basement was completed and dedicated in August 1985. During these decades the parish also gave rise to Sanggye-dong in 1971, Seokgwan-dong in 1978, and Beon-dong in 1983, contributing significantly to the growth of the Church in northeastern Seoul.