Susaek Catholic Church

Overview

Susaek Church is a church in Jeungsan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, belonging to the Archdiocese of Seoul. Originating as Haengju Church in Goyang-gun, Gyeonggi-do, established by separation from Yakhyeon Church (now Jungnim-dong Church) in 1909, it was renamed Susaek Church when it moved to Susaek-dong, Seoul in 1957. The Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture explains that since its founding this church has served as the mother church for the western region of the Archdiocese of Seoul. Its patron is the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

History

According to the Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture, the history of Susaek Church began with Haengju Church, established by separation from Yakhyeon Church on May 26, 1909. The first pastor, Father Kim Won-yeong (Augustino), secured church land in Haengjuoe-ri, Jido-myeon, Goyang-gun (now Haengju-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si) and converted houses there into a church and a rectory, and the pastoral jurisdiction included Gimpo, Tongjin, Yangcheon and Yangju-gun in addition to Goyang-gun. After 1942, Haengju Church went through a period with the pastorate vacant, and after Liberation it was re-established when Father Kim Seong-hwan (Victorino) was appointed as the 9 pastor in February 1948.

After the Korean War, Father Im Chung-sin (Matia), who took office as the 10 pastor in November 1953, saw the number of faithful in the area near Haengju decline, so on June 14, 1957 he secured church land at lot 205 in Susaek-dong, which had only recently been incorporated into the City of Seoul, and moved the church there. In 1970 he purchased the present Jeungsan-dong site and began construction of a new church, completed it the following year, and on August 12 held the dedication ceremony for the new church (with a building area of 232 pyeong). The present church was completed on May 26, 1990, during the tenure of the 16 pastor, Father Kim Chang-hun (Paul), designating the Sacred Heart of Jesus as patron, with the dedication ceremony presided over by Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan.

On May 24, 2009, a Mass commemorating the 100 anniversary of the founding of the church was celebrated, presided over by Cardinal Jeong Jin-seok (Nicolaus).

Significance for Faith and Context for Visiting

The directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea records Susaek Church as belonging to the Eunpyeong District of the Central Seoul Region in the Archdiocese of Seoul, with a founding date of May 26, 1909, and lists the Franciscan Mission Service Sisters as the affiliated congregation of sisters.

Related Places and People

According to the Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture, the following parishes branched off from Susaek Church.

• Eungam-dong Church: branched off in August 1968
• Gajwa-dong Church: branched off on September 17, 1971 as the second daughter parish
• Sinsa-dong Church: branched off on September 25, 1998 as the third daughter parish
• Sangam-dong Church: branched off on February 25, 2010 as the fourth

References and Sources

1. Academy of Korean Studies, Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture, “Susaek Church.” Confirms origin from Haengju Church, founding in 1909, move to Susaek-dong in 1957, new construction in Jeungsan-dong in 1971, dedication of the present church in 1990, branched parishes, and the Mass for the 100 anniversary in 2009.
   https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0076783
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Catholic Directory in Korea (Susaek). Confirms affiliation with the Eunpyeong District of the Archdiocese of Seoul, founding date of May 26, 1909, patron Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Franciscan Mission Service Sisters.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000155&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011