한강(지) 성당

History & origins

Hangang Parish was established on December 18, 1970 after being separated from Samgakji Parish, against the background of rapid apartment development and a growing Catholic population in Dongbu Ichon-dong in the late 1960s. The new parish began with about 620 Catholics in 150 households. With no church building of its own, it used a temporary structure on the grounds of Yongsan Girls’ Middle School, now Yonggang Middle School, among other places for Mass. Construction began in January 1971, and the first church was completed on October 15 of that year.

Continued growth led to repeated expansion and rebuilding. Land for a new church was acquired in 1986, construction began in June 1989, and Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan dedicated the new church on December 30, 1990. In 1998, Hangang was designated the district-seat parish of the 1st district, strengthening its role as a center of the local Church.