Sejong-ro Catholic Church

Overview

Sejongno Church is a church in Pilun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, belonging to the Archdiocese of Seoul. In 1946 it was separated from Myeongdong Church and established as Sajik-dong Parish, then moved via Doryeom-dong to its present location in Pilun-dong. The directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea records its patron as the Immaculate Heart of Mary and its supervising congregation as the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

History

According to the history on the Sejongno Church website, in May 1946 Sajik-dong Parish was separated from Myeongdong Church and established, with Father Lee Seon-yong as its first pastor. The history describes it as the first parish established after liberation. Meanwhile, the introduction to successive pastors on the same website explains that it was the eighth parish established, following the parishes of Myeongdong, Jungnim-dong, Hyehwa-dong, Yeongdeungpo (now Dorim-dong), Yongsan, Jegi-dong and Mia-ri (now Gireum-dong), and records that, welcoming Father Lee Seon-yong, then pastor of Jungnim-dong Parish, as its first pastor, it was separated and erected from Myeongdong Parish. The foundation date in the directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea is May 20, 1946.

In December 1949 it moved to Doryeom-dong and changed its name to Sejongno Church, and in September 1954, under the 2 pastor, Father Lee Wan-seong, it moved to its present location in Pilun-dong. The introduction to successive pastors explains that Father Lee Wan-seong secured the Pilun-dong land that is the present church site. In December 1958, 64,020 pyeong of Yeongboksan Park Cemetery was registered, and in September 1968 its daughter parish, Segeomjeong Parish, was separated and established.

Architecture and Space

The parish history records that on August 1955 Bishop Noh Gi-nam blessed the new church building (1 stories), and in August 1967 the rectory (2 stories) was newly built. In May 1969 the 2 floor of the church was extended, and Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan celebrated the dedication ceremony. According to the introduction to successive pastors, the 3 pastor, Father Park Gwi-hun, served for 13 years and laid the foundation for the parish's growth through church construction, evangelization, relief of the poor and development of the Yeongbok cemetery. The history adds that in May 1970 Sejong Kindergarten opened and a branch of the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was established.

Religious Significance and Visiting Context

The parish history records that in August 2009 the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See designated Sejongno Church as a Marian pilgrimage church. The parish held an event in May 2006 commemorating the 60 anniversary of its foundation, published the 《Sejongno 60-Year History》 in September of the same year, and celebrated memorial Masses for the 70 anniversary in May 2016 and for the 75 anniversary in May 2021.

Related Places and People

• Myeongdong Cathedral: the mother parish from which Sejongno Church was separated
• Segeomjeong Church: the daughter parish separated and established from Sejongno Parish in September 1968
• Father Lee Seon-yong: first pastor (in office April 1946–September 1951)

References and Sources

1. Sejongno Catholic Church, History. Confirms foundation in 1946, renaming in 1949, move to Pilun-dong in 1954, blessing of the new church in 1955, separation of Segeomjeong Parish in 1968, and designation as a Marian pilgrimage site in 2009.
   http://www.sejonglo.org/history
2. Sejongno Catholic Church, Successive Pastors. Confirms the order of parish foundation, the first pastor Father Lee Seon-yong, the securing of land by the 2 pastor Father Lee Wan-seong, and the work of the 3 pastor Father Park Gwi-hun.
   http://www.sejonglo.org/history_priest/2994
3. Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, Directory of the Catholic Church in Korea (Sejongno). Confirms foundation date May 20, 1946, patron Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000150&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011