잠실3동 성당

History & origins

Catholics living in the Jamsil 5-dong Jugong apartment complex initially belonged to Jamsil Parish. Following the archdiocese's policy of dividing very large parishes, they prepared for a new community by securing a priest's residence and space in a commercial building. On February 23, 1996, approval was granted for a new parish serving the Jamsil 5-dong Jugong complex.

The first pastor, Fr. Benedict Kang Jeong-ui, arrived on March 8, 1996 and celebrated the first Mass in the basement of the commercial building. Major renovation of the church space began on October 7 and was completed in about two months; on December 14, the first children's First Communion Mass was celebrated in the renovated church.

The parish that began by adapting commercial space for worship and community life later continued under its present name, Jamsil 3-dong Catholic Church. Its early history shows how the church took shape within the everyday environment of the apartment community.