Jeongneung-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Jeongneung-dong Church is a parish belonging to the No. 4 Seongbuk District in the Jung Seoul Region of the Archdiocese of Seoul, located in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. In 1968, it was separated from Miari Parish (present-day Gireum-dong) and established, and its patron is the Holy Trinity. The establishment date is recorded on October 12, 1968 in the Korean Catholic Encyclopedia and on September 23, 1968 in the Korean Catholic Directory, respectively.

History

In April 1968, Father Lee Jong-hwan of Miari Parish set up a makeshift tent on land purchased by Miari Parish and celebrated the first Mass, then held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a temporary church. In October of the same year, it was formally approved as a parish, and Father Thomas Yu Bong-jun was appointed as the first pastor. Father Yu organized devotional groups such as the Marian Association in 1969 and the Myeongdohoe in 1970. The 2 pastor is Father Jang Ik, John of the Cross.

In 1971, district leaders, ban leaders, and representatives of active groups formed the parish council and worked for the construction of a new church. From 1977, under the leadership of the 5 pastor, Father Lee Jong-hwan, devotional activities continued, including holding a Holy Hour on the first Friday of each month, and in 1988, on the patronal feast of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (May 29), a Mass and ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment were held. In 1993, marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment, a hymn competition and a photo exhibition were held. The number of faithful was 1,118 in 1969, 4,094 in 1980, 6,234 in 1986, 6,486 in 1991, and 3,105 in 2001. In the Jeongneung 4-dong area, construction of a church began in July 1996, was completed in October 2001, and the Jeongneung 4-dong Parish was separated.

Architecture and Space

In 1972, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new church, and in September 1973, the blessing ceremony was celebrated with Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan presiding. In 1976, a rectory was prepared and a convent building was purchased with donations from the faithful, and in 1978, a Sunday school playground was prepared and parish facilities were renovated. In 1985, there was a blessing ceremony for the newly prepared education center, rectory, convent, and Marian grotto.

Related Places and People

• Gireum-dong (Miari) Parish: It is the mother parish from which Jeongneung-dong Parish was separated.
• Jeongneung 4-dong Parish: It is a parish separated from Jeongneung-dong Parish in 2001.
• Father Thomas Yu Bong-jun: He was the first pastor, serving from September 1968 to January 1970.

References and Sources

1. Korean Church History Research Institute, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Jeongneung-dong Parish.” Separation and establishment from Miari Parish (October 12, 1968), patron Holy Trinity, successive pastors, blessing of the temporary church and the new church (1973), devotional groups, establishment anniversary events, and separation of Jeongneung 4-dong Parish were confirmed.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/5485
2. Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Korean Catholic Directory “Jeongneung-dong.” Affiliated district (No. 4 Seongbuk District), establishment date 1968.09.23, and patron Holy Trinity were confirmed.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000217&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011