Gongdeok-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Gongdeok-dong Church is a parish belonging to District No. 2 Seodaemun-Mapo in the Jung Seoul Region of the Seoul Archdiocese, located in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It was established in 1969 after separation from parishes including Jungnim-dong, Yongsan and Ahyeon-dong, and its patron is Christ the King. Its date of establishment is recorded as August 28, 1969 in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia and as August 10, 1969 in the Korean Catholic Directory respectively.

History

Before the establishment of the parish, the faithful of this area attended Mass at parishes such as Jungnim-dong, Yongsan, Cheongpa-dong and Ahyeon-dong according to their place of residence. In March 1969, several faithful who had been attending Yongsan Parish, including chairperson Jo Jong-suk (Veronica) living in Gongdeok-dong, hoping that a ‘Mapo Parish’ would be established by separation from each parish, purchased a site of 204 pyeong with the help of Father Manion (baptismal name Francis), regional superior of the Society of St. Columban. As a result, on August 28 of the same year, permission for the new establishment of Gongdeok-dong Parish was received from the diocese, and Father Holeceh was welcomed as the first pastor. The jurisdiction at that time consisted of Gongdeok-dong, Singongdeok-dong, Ahyeon-dong, Yonggang-dong, Daeheung-dong and part of Dohwa-dong, and after subsequent boundary adjustments with neighboring parishes it came to cover Gongdeok 1-dong, Ahyeon 3-dong, Singongdeok-dong and parts of Ahyeon 1-dong.

The faithful devoted themselves to evangelization, organizing one by one apostolic groups such as the pastoral council and district and small-group activities, as well as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Marian Association, the St. Anna Association, the Apostles Association, Ultreya, the choir, the teachers’ association and the Legion of Mary. In April 1976, the office was remodeled to expand the convent, and Sisters of the Inbo Blessed Sacrament were invited. During the term of the 4th pastor, Father Joseph Jeong Gwang-ung, the erection of a statue of Our Lady and landscaping work were completed, and in 1979, while consecrating the ‘House of Love’ for destitute elderly people aged 60 and older, work to extensively renovate the interior of the church was also completed.

The successive pastors were the 1st Francis Holeceh (Francis Holeceh, Heo), Francis (August 1969–May 1973), the 2th Charles O’Rourke (Charles O'Rourke, O), Carlo (May 1973–September 1975), the 3th Owen Doyle (Owen Doyle, Do), Michael (September 1975–September 1977), the 4th Joseph Jeong Gwang-ung (September 1977–May 1981), the 5th John Kim Jin-ha (May 1981–August 1985), the 6th Augustinus Yu Won-bong (August 1985–April 1988), acting administrator Simeon Yang Gwon-sik (April 1988–February 1989), the 7th John the Apostle Kim Jong-su (February 1989–February 1993), and the 8th Joseph Song Myeong-eun (from February 1993). The number of faithful was in 1973 2,600 persons, in 1977 2,252 persons, in 1981 2,767 persons, in 1989 3,645 persons, and in 1993 3,315 persons.

Architecture and Space

On December 31, 1969, the 1-story church (89.5 pyeong) was completed, and after the 2th story of the church was added on December 31, 1971, the dedication ceremony of the church was held on May 19, 1972.

Related Places and People

• Jungnim-dong Parish, Yongsan Parish and Ahyeon-dong Parish: These are the parishes from which Gongdeok-dong Parish was separated.
• Society of St. Columban: This is the mission society whose regional superior, Father Manion (baptismal name Francis), helped purchase the site.
• House of Love: This is the facility consecrated in 1979 for destitute elderly people aged 60 and older.

References and Sources

1. Research Institute of Korean Church History, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Gongdeok-dong Parish”. The separation and establishment on August 28, 1969, the patron Christ the King, the background of the establishment and the construction and dedication of the church (May 19, 1972), the apostolic groups and the House of Love, and the successive priests and statistics were confirmed.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/390
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Gongdeok-dong”. The affiliated district (Jung Seoul Region District No. 2 Seodaemun-Mapo), the establishment date 1969.08.10, the patron Christ the King, and the Sisters of the Inbo Blessed Sacrament were confirmed.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000043&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011