해방촌 성당

History & origins

After the Korean War, Haebangchon’s population grew rapidly as returning refugees and people from the North settled in the area, including a significant number of Catholics. Local believers organized groups and worked for the creation of a parish. With support from Dongja-dong Parish, now Huam-dong Parish, they secured the present church site in late 1954. Fr. Peter Kim Yeong-geun arrived in November 1954, marking the beginning of the Haebang-dong parish community.

Because there was no church building at first, an upper room in the home of a parishioner, Paul Park Ui-hwa, served both as the priest’s quarters and as a temporary chapel. Construction of a church and rectory began in the spring of 1955, and Mass was celebrated under a tent in the yard during the work. The first church was completed in November 1955 and dedicated by Bishop Paul Ro Gi-nam the following February.

The parish was originally called “Haebang-dong Parish” and was renamed “Haebangchon Parish” in 1977. The story of a postwar migrant community organizing its own parish and moving from a temporary worship space to a permanent church remains central to the identity of Haebangchon Catholic Church.