장위1동(선) 성당

History & origins

The institutional roots of the Seoul Archdiocese's ministry among the urban poor were established in 1987, when the Urban Poor Pastoral Committee was created in response to forced evictions and the growing hardships of poor city residents. The ministry later developed a network of mission parishes and “Houses of Peace” as neighborhood centers working alongside residents on housing and livelihood issues.

A mission parish was established in Jangwi 1-dong in 2006 amid redevelopment pressures, with the purpose of standing with local residents. The current Korean Catholic directory records the parish's establishment date as November 9, 2006, while the archdiocesan urban-poor ministry also confirms the creation of the Jangwi 1-dong mission parish in 2006.

Rather than developing through ownership of a large church complex, the community has combined liturgy and neighborhood solidarity in a house-like setting. Local work through the Seongbuk House of Peace on the first floor was part of this structure, and the mission parish continues to explore new forms of hospitality and solidarity in the area today.