Dotong-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Dotong-dong Church is a church of the Diocese of Jeonju located in Dotong-dong, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk State. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, it was separated and established from Ssanggyo-dong Parish in Namwon on July 15, 1990, and its patron is Our Lady, Queen of Fatima.

History

〔Establishment and Development〕 According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, Dotong-dong Parish is a parish established to expand parishes in city-level small-city areas, together with the commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Jeonju. On a site of 795 pyeong, a church (103 pyeong) and a rectory (33 pyeong) were completed as prefabricated light steel-frame buildings on November 17, 1990, and a branch convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary was established on February 27, 1994.

〔Parish Activities〕 The encyclopedia states that the parish groups include the pastoral council, 14 organizations and 8 praesidia, and that since 1995 the parish has carried out various formation programs including Scripture education and continuous Eucharistic adoration for the consolidation of the parish. The encyclopedia describes that at the time of establishment the parish jurisdiction lay far from the downtown center and development of urban and residential areas was slow, so the number of the faithful was relatively small, and most of the faithful were young people and new faithful baptized within 10 years.

〔Statistics, Jurisdiction and Successive Pastors〕 The jurisdiction recorded in the encyclopedia is all of Dotong-dong, parts of Jukhang-dong and Hyanggyo-dong, Ibaek-myeon, Sandong-myeon, Bojeol-myeon, Unbong-myeon, Dong-myeon, Ayeong-myeon, Sannae-myeon, Deokgwa-myeon, Jucheon-myeon, and part of Samae-myeon, with 2 Catholic mission chapels under its jurisdiction at Inwol and Unbong. Parish statistics are 643 faithful in 1990 and 711 faithful in 1994. Successive pastors are the first, Benedict Yu Yeong-do (1990.7–8), the No. 2 pastor, Gabriel Gyeong Gyu-bong (1990.8–1993.2), and the No. 3 pastor, John the Baptist Han Gi-ho (1993.2–present at the time of writing). The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea directory lists the parish as belonging to District 3, with establishment date July 15, 1990, patron Our Lady Mary, Queen of Fatima, and affiliated congregation the Mirinae Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary.

Architecture and Space

According to the encyclopedia, on a site of 795 pyeong, a church (103 pyeong) and a rectory (33 pyeong) were built as prefabricated light steel-frame buildings and completed on November 17, 1990.

Related Places and People

• Ssanggyo-dong Parish in Namwon: the mother parish from which Dotong-dong Parish was separated on July 15, 1990 (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).
• Inwol and Unbong mission chapels: 2 Catholic mission chapels under the jurisdiction of Dotong-dong Parish (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).
• Branch convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary: established on February 27, 1994 (Korean Catholic Encyclopedia).

References and Sources

1. Research Institute for Korean Church History, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Dotong-dong Parish” (Diocese of Jeonju, Vol. 3). Purpose of parish establishment in 1990, completion of church and rectory, branch convent, parish activities, jurisdiction, statistics, successive pastors.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/1419
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Dotong-dong” (Diocese of Jeonju). Establishment date 1990.7.15, patron Our Lady Mary, Queen of Fatima, Mirinae Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary, District 3.
   http://directory.cbck.or.kr/m/catholicInfo.asp?code=201001284&gubun=4