Dobong-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Dobong-dong Church is a parish in the 6 Dobong-Gangbuk District in the Central Seoul Region of the Archdiocese of Seoul, located in Dobong-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul. It was established on November 6, 1970, separated from Suyu-dong Parish, and its patron is the Holy Family. After its establishment, priests of the Missionary Society of St. Columban ministered until the parish was transferred to the diocese in 1995.

History

After the Dobong-dong area was incorporated into Seoul in January 1963, flood victims moving here increased and the number of the faithful also grew. The faithful who had attended Mass at the nearby Uijeongbu, Miali and Suyuri parishes celebrated Mass at the house of Anna Lee Hak-sil at lot 98, Dobong-dong in August 1968, officiated by Fr. John Kim Mong-eun of Suyuri Parish, and started as a Catholic mission chapel under the jurisdiction of Suyuri Parish. Afterwards Fr. Kim visited every Sunday to celebrate Mass, and from December of the same year Fr. Healy of the Missionary Society of St. Columban was entrusted with the pastoral care of the mission chapel and visited every Sunday. In May 1969, with a donation from the Association for the Deceased of Myeongdong Parish, land of 250 pyeong at lot 89-136, Dobong-dong was prepared, and a church of 160 pyeong was built and blessed on November 9 of the same year. In 1970, with the help of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, land of 293 pyeong at lot 89, Dobong-dong was purchased to build a rectory and offices, and in November of that year it was elevated to a parish.

Its parish jurisdiction was Dobong 1-dong and 2-dong and Banghak 1-dong and 2-dong. On December 8, 1970, the Mary without Blemish Praesidium was founded. In February 1974, land of 50 pyeong and 1 buildings at lot 89-13, Dobong-dong were purchased, and in June 1977 a site of 340 pyeong at the present location was bought and construction of a new church began in September of the same year, while the old church and land were sold. This was because the old church stood beside the railway tracks and noise was severe. In June 1980, catechism rooms and a convent building were built and a branch of the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was established, and on July 27 the dedication of the church building was celebrated. In July 1983, a site of 96 pyeong and 1 houses at lot 614-30, Dobong 1-dong were purchased and renovated as a rectory.

On February 4, 1989, Nowon Parish and on September 7, 1990, Banghak-dong Parish were respectively spun off. In September 1995, as the parish was transferred to the diocese, the Missionary Society of St. Columban withdrew and a priest of the Archdiocese of Seoul took office. The Korean Catholic Encyclopedia records that, as redevelopment in Dobong 2-dong formed apartment complexes, the need for another division was emerging due to the limits of the parish’s capacity.

In the parish, the Association for the Deceased serves in procedures such as washing the body and encoffining when parishioners die, prepared 300 cemetery plots for distribution, and in 1993 opened a mortuary. The Marian Association permanently operated a church book lending room, and the senior citizens’ group brought Communion to sick parishioners, held feasts to comfort the elderly, and made spring and autumn pilgrimages to holy sites. Special catechism courses were held every year during Lent and Advent, and according to the 1986 pastoral indicator, the “Year of the Eucharist and the Family,” a Holy Hour was held on the evening of every first Thursday. The parish pastoral goal for 1994 was “Settling of Small Communities,” and the last Sunday of each month was designated Family Day so that families would celebrate Mass together.

Architecture and Space

In October 1991 a new convent was completed, and on December 1 a new church with a total floor area of 600 pyeong, with 1 basement floor and 3 above-ground floors, was consecrated. To build this church, an art exhibition to raise funds for the new church was held in 1989 and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in June of that year.

Related Places and People

• Suyuri Parish: the parish to which the Dobong-dong mission chapel first belonged, and the mother parish from which Dobong-dong Parish was separated.
• Nowon Parish and Banghak-dong Parish: parishes spun off from Dobong-dong Parish in 1989 and 1990 respectively.
• Missionary Society of St. Columban: in charge of the pastoral care of the mission chapel and parish from December 1968 until 1995. The first pastor was Fr. Dionisio Kearney (Kang Dae-sik) (October 1970–April 1973).

References and Sources

1. Research Institute of Korean Church History, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Dobong-dong Parish.” Separation and establishment from Suyu-dong Parish on November 6, 1970, patron Holy Family, founding of the mission chapel and church construction, dedication of the church building (in 1980) and consecration (in 1991), spin-offs, successive priests and activities were verified.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/1399
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Dobong-dong.” Affiliated district (Central Seoul Region 6 Dobong-Gangbuk District), date of establishment 1970.11.06, patron Holy Family, and the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help were verified.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000078&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011