Gildong Catholic Church

Overview

Gildong Church is a parish belonging to Gangdong District No. 9 in the East Seoul Region of the Archdiocese of Seoul, located in Gildong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul. It was founded in 1985 after separation from Cheonho-dong Parish, and its patron is the Nativity of Mary. Its date of foundation is recorded as on August 16, 1985 in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia and as on August 30, 1985 in the Korean Catholic Directory.

History

At the time of its establishment as a parish, its jurisdiction covered Gil-2-dong and Gil-1-dong, Myeongil-1-dong and 2-dong, and part of Dunchon-2-dong. Its first pastor was Father Bartholomew Heo Geun (from September 1985 to February 1987), succeeded by the 2 pastor, Father Thaddeus Lee Sang-jun, and the 3 pastor, Father Paul Kim Gyeong-hui. Parish membership was recorded as follows: in 1985, 3,257 members, in 1986, 4,748 members, in 1988, 5,586 members, and in 1993, 6,363 members.

The parish placed emphasis on fostering Eucharistic devotion among the faithful, assigning Eucharistic adoration times by district and association on the first Thursday of each month from 1986 to 2 so that all the faithful would take part in Eucharistic adoration, and continuing with a Holy Hour and Eucharistic adoration every Friday from 1988 onward. It opened Scripture courses for office workers and women, devoting itself to the re-education of the faithful, and also carried out a campaign of 1 faithful inviting 1 catechumens.

Architecture and Space

At the time of its establishment as a parish, it leased Samik Building 346-1 in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu, floors 3–4, using them as the church, catechism classrooms, offices, and other facilities, and as the number of the faithful grew, in July 1986 it additionally leased the 2 floor of the building for use as the rectory and catechism classrooms. On land in Gil-2-dong, San 1-69, 2 lots totaling 1,814.87㎡, which had been purchased since its foundation, it began in October 1987 to build a church with 3 basement floor, 4 above-ground floors, and a total floor area of 3,966.94㎡, and held its dedication ceremony in May 1991.

Related Places and People

• Cheonho-dong Parish: The mother parish from which Gildong Parish was separated.
• Father Bartholomew Heo Geun: The first pastor, serving from September 1985 to February 1987.

References and Sources

1. Korean Church History Research Institute, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia, 'Gildong Parish.' Confirmed separation and foundation from Cheonho-dong Parish (on August 16, 1985), patronal feast Nativity of Mary, jurisdiction, parish statistics, successive pastors, leased period and new church construction (construction started in 1987, dedication in May 1991), and Eucharistic devotion activities.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/840
2. Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory, 'Gildong.' Confirmed affiliated district (Gangdong District No. 9), foundation date 1985.08.30, and patronal feast Nativity of Mary.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000055&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011