Yeokchon-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Yeokchon-dong Church is a parish belonging to Eunpyeong District No. 3 in the Central Seoul Region of the Archdiocese of Seoul, and is located in Yeokchon-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. On May 9, 1974, it was separated and established with parishioners transferred from the Bulgwang-dong, Eungam-dong, and Hongje-dong parishes, and its patron is the Assumption of Mary.

History

Father Yu Yeong-do, pastor of Bulgwang-dong Parish, had difficulty in pastoral care because his jurisdiction was large, so together with Eungam-dong Parish and Hongje-dong Parish he transferred parishioners and established Yeokchon-dong Parish in May 1974. The first pastor, Father Baek Eun-gi (Raphael), celebrated Mass at a kindergarten in Yeokchon 1-dong until the church was built, and in June of that year held a groundbreaking ceremony on the present church site (300 pyeong) provided by the diocese, completed the church in September and held a blessing ceremony. In July, the parish newsletter was first published.

The 2 pastor, Father Kim Chang-seok, organized groups such as the middle school student association, high school student association, youth group, and Legion of Mary, and in 1979 established a branch house of the Seoul Seongga Sobinyeohoe Sisters. At Christmas in 1979, 160 people received baptism. Under the 5 pastor, Father Yeom Su-wan, Galhyeon-dong Parish was separated on February 22, 1994, transferring parish registers of 240 households and 724 persons, and Sinsa-dong Parish was separated on September 25, 1998, transferring parish registers of 980 households and 2,900 persons. The 7 pastor, Father Nam Guk-hyeon, carried out the “Weekday Mass Chain Campaign” in 2001 to mark the 200 anniversary of the Sinyu Persecution.

Architecture and Space

The first church completed in September 1974 became too small as parishioners increased, so in August of the following year extension work began and the extended church was completed at the end of September. As the number of parishioners grew rapidly, the pastoral council decided to build a new church, and after starting construction in 1980, completed in November of the same year a church with 1 basement floor and 2 above-ground floors (406 pyeong). In 1994, two houses adjacent to the church were purchased and converted into a rectory, and the following year another house was purchased and converted into a convent.

Related Places and People

• Bulgwang-dong Parish, Eungam-dong Parish, and Hongje-dong Parish: the parishes that transferred parishioners when Yeokchon-dong Parish was established.
• Galhyeon-dong Parish and Sinsa-dong Parish: the parishes separated from Yeokchon-dong Parish.

References and Sources

1. Korean Church History Research Institute, Korean Catholic Encyclopedia “Yeokchon-dong Parish”. The separation and establishment on May 9, 1974 from the Bulgwang-dong, Eungam-dong, and Hongje-dong parishes, the patron Assumption of Mary, background of the establishment, construction and extension of the church, separation of Galhyeon-dong and Sinsa-dong parishes, and pastoral activities were confirmed.
   https://encyclopedia.catholic.or.kr/entry/4433
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory “Yeokchon-dong”. The affiliated district (Eunpyeong District No. 3), foundation date 1974.05.09, and patron Assumption of Mary were confirmed.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000186&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000011