Daechi 2-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Daechi2-dong Church is a parish belonging to the 11 Gangnam District of the East Seoul Region of the Seoul Archdiocese, located in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. According to the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, it was separated and established from Daechi-dong Parish on August 23, 1991, and its patron is the Holy Family.

History

〔Establishment and Church Construction〕 As the Gangnam New Town developed rapidly and the number of faithful in Daechi-dong Parish continued to increase, the establishment of Daechi2-dong Parish was requested. In March 1988, the site at the present location was purchased, and in October of the following year, construction of the church building began. On September 5, 1991, the parish moved with only the framework completed, and on the following day the first Mass was offered in the underground parking lot still under construction, attended by over 500 faithful. After September of that year, a branch house of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres was established, and on June 20, 1992, the church with a marble exterior was completed and blessed.

〔Building Size〕 The church was built on a site of 712 pyeong with a total floor area of 2,091 pyeong, with 3 basement floors and 3 above-ground floors. On above-ground floor 1, there are the rectory, the convent, the lobby and the meeting room; on floors 2 and 3, there is the church; on basement floor 1, there are the large and small halls and the catechism classrooms; and on basement floors 2~3, there is the underground parking lot. On the slope connecting the church and basement floor 1, a ramp was installed for access by persons with physical disabilities.

〔Pastoral Activities and Membership〕 The Korean Catholic Encyclopedia states that, as of 1995, there are several lay organizations including 3 curiae and 54 praesidia of the Legion of Mary, that, with an emphasis on faith formation, cultural lectures with invited distinguished figures are held 5~6 times a year, and that retreats by organization and pilgrimages to holy places are also held. The numbers of the faithful are 1991 – 7,084 persons, 1992 – 7,586 persons, and 1994 – 7,846 persons. The first pastor is recorded as Father Moses Choi Gwang-yeon (1991. 2~).

Jurisdiction and Affiliation

The jurisdiction noted in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia is Daechi2-dong and 3-dong. In the online directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, it is listed with affiliated diocese the Seoul Archdiocese, region and district the 11 Gangnam District of the East Seoul Region, date of establishment 1991.08.23, sisters’ congregation the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, and patron the Holy Family.

Related Places and People

• Daechi-dong Parish: The mother parish from which Daechi2-dong Parish was separated.
• Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres: After September 1991, a branch house was established in the parish.

References and Sources

1. Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, “Daechi2-dong Parish”. Separated and established from Daechi-dong Parish on August 23, 1991, patron the Holy Family, jurisdiction, establishment process and church construction (1988~1992), building size, pastoral activities, and membership statistics.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/1318
2. Online directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, “Daechi2-dong”. Affiliated diocese and district (11 Gangnam District of the East Seoul Region), date of establishment 1991.08.23, sisters’ congregation (Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres), and patron the Holy Family.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000073&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011