Dorim-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Dorim-dong Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Seoul located in Dorim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea records its establishment date as on May 10, 1936, its patron saint as St. John Bosco, and the Salesian Sisters as the religious community in charge. The City of Seoul selected this church as Seoul Future Heritage in 2013 in recognition of its architectural and historical preservation value.

History

The parish news of Catholic Seoul of the Archdiocese of Seoul introduces Dorim-dong Church as the first church south of the Han River, separated from Yakhyeon Church (Jungnim-dong) in 1936. The Seoul Media Hub explains that Dorim-dong Church is the fourth-oldest Catholic church in the country after Myeong-dong, Jungnim-dong and Hyehwa-dong, and that it is also the place where the Catholic labor movement began.

The parish building was half-destroyed in the Korean War and was rebuilt in 1962 with donations raised by Catholics in Italy and South America, as described in the Seoul Media Hub.

Architecture and Space

According to the Seoul Media Hub, this church stands on a hill in an industrial district and is now surrounded by high-rise apartment buildings. Its modern-style rose window, marble altar and altar rails, ceiling decorations and other elements are assessed as having high preservation value from the perspective of architectural history, and it was therefore designated as Seoul Future Heritage in 2013.

Religious Significance and Visiting Context

The Seoul Media Hub introduces this church, situated in an industrial district, as having served as a refuge for poor workers.

References and Sources

1. Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, Catholic Directory of Korea (Dorim-dong). Confirms affiliation with the Yeongdeungpo-Geumcheon District of the Archdiocese of Seoul, establishment date on May 10, 1936, patron St. John Bosco, and the Salesian Sisters.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000077&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011
2. City of Seoul, Seoul Media Hub (My Seoul in My Hands). Confirms the fourth-oldest church, the Catholic labor movement, half-destruction in the Korean War and rebuilding in 1962, and selection as Seoul Future Heritage in 2013.
   https://mediahub.seoul.go.kr/archives/2003241
3. Archdiocese of Seoul, Catholic Seoul parish news “A Game of Yut at Dorim-dong Church!”. Confirms the introduction as the first church south of the Han River, separated from Yakhyeon Church in 1936.
   https://newsseoul.catholic.or.kr/view.asp?bbs_id=church&cnum=37