Sangmi Catholic Church

History & origins

Sangmi Parish was established on June 18, 2019, after being separated from Singal Parish. The new community did not begin in a church of its own; instead, Mass was celebrated in the basement of the mother parish, Singal. The diocese later described this arrangement as “two households under one roof,” capturing the reality of a parish that began its life while sharing another community's space.

The parish's name and patron saint were also clarified as the community developed. In 2022, following a decision of the diocesan presbyteral council, the provisional name “Sangmi Parish” was formally confirmed, and St. Francis of Assisi was approved as patron. Along with preparing an independent place, the community thus received an officially settled name and spiritual reference point.

Construction of a new church formally began with the groundbreaking on November 18, 2023. While preparing the building, the parish also undertook spiritual offerings such as the Rosary, Bible reading, and Scripture copying. After about sixteen months of construction, the entrance thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in the new church on March 22, 2025, ending the temporary period in the basement of Singal Church.

Sangmi's short but clearly documented history shows that the canonical establishment of a new parish and the creation of its own permanent church are distinct stages. The journey from shared space, through the confirmation of a name and patron, to prayerful preparation and entrance into an independent church forms the historical meaning of Sangmi Catholic Church today. In this process, formal confirmation of the name “Sangmi” and approval of the patron saint were more than administrative steps: they gave a community still living in temporary space an official name and spiritual reference point. Construction of the church then became the next stage, rooting that identity in a permanent place.