Chonam Iseongji

History & origins

After being baptized by Yi Seung-hun in 1784, Yu Hang-geum spread the Gospel in the Honam region and cared for the growing Catholic community. His home at Chonami became a place for learning and discussing doctrine, and in 1795 Father James Zhou Wen-mo stayed there for a week, celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. These activities show that Chonami was an important center of catechesis and evangelization in the early Church of Honam.

When the Sinyu Persecution broke out in 1801, Yu Hang-geum was martyred outside the South Gate of Jeonju and his family estate was destroyed as punishment. His sons Yu Jung-cheol and Yu Mun-seok were martyred in Jeonju prison, while Yi Sun-i, Yu Jung-seong, Sin Hui, and Yi Yuk-hui were martyred at Supjeongi. The remains of the seven family members were buried at nearby Baubaegi and moved to Chimyungjasan in 1914. Although the household and community were scattered, their faith and martyrdom remained embedded in the memory of Chonami.

On March 11, 2021, the remains of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and Blessed James Gwon Sang-yeon, martyred during the Sinhae Persecution of 1791, and Blessed Francis Yun Ji-heon, martyred in 1801, were discovered at Baubaegi. Their remains were later enshrined in the martyrs' tomb at the shrine. The discovery reaffirmed that Chonami is not only the site of the Yu family's home but also a place containing tangible evidence of the earliest history of Catholic martyrdom in Korea.