왕십리 성당

History & origins

The Wangsimni Catholic community began in the spring of 1959 as a new mission center under Sindang-dong Parish. The Catholic Encyclopedia of Korea records that, with support from the Columban Fathers, a house owned by the Korea Electric Power Corporation was purchased for the Wangsimni mission station, around which about 29 households and roughly 100 Catholics formed the initial community.

Wangsimni Parish was formally established on November 16, 1959. A mission station was also opened in the Ttukseom area the following year as Catholic communities expanded across the parish territory, and a new church at the present site was completed in 1961.

In 1961 the Sacred Heart of Jesus was designated as the parish patron, giving the community a lasting identity. The rapid transition from mission station to an independent parish with its own church reflects the growth of eastern Seoul during this period.