Doraeul Church

Overview

Doraeul Catholic Church is a church of the Uijeongbu Diocese located on Doraeul 3-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. It was established on August 27, 2015 through division from the Haengsin 1-dong, Wondang, and Jichuk-dong parishes, and its parish patron is the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its name at the time of establishment was Donaedong Catholic Church, and construction of the present church building began on May 2016 and was completed on January 2017.

History

[Division and establishment] The introduction on Doraeul Catholic Church’s website states that the church honors the “Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary” as its patron and was divided from Haengsin 1-dong, Wondang, and Jichuk-dong on August 27, 2015. The address directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea also lists its date of establishment as August 27, 2015. According to the parish history, on August 27, 2015 the Uijeongbu Diocesan Office designated the new establishment of Donaedong Catholic Church as a parish, and on September 8 Father Sebastian Kang Seung-han took office as parish priest. On September 13, the first Mass of Donaedong Catholic Church was celebrated at 16 o’clock every Sunday at Haengsin 1-dong Catholic Church, and on September 20 the 12 Apostolic Association of Donaedong Catholic Church was formed and held its first meeting. On December 1, 2015, weekday Masses and Sunday Masses began at the temporary parish.

[Construction of the church building] The history records that construction began with fence work for the church construction on May 2, 2016, and that the groundbreaking ceremony and prayer for safety for Donaedong Catholic Church were held on May 22. Basement construction of the church building began on June 5, 1-floor construction began on July 12, and 2-floor construction began on August 6. Church furnishings were installed on December 28 and 14 places were installed on December 30, and the year-end and New Year Mass was celebrated in the newly built church on December 31, 2016. The website introduction states that the church in its present form began construction on May 2016 and was completed on January 2017.

[Early faith community] According to the history, in 2016 there were a baptism ceremony (on November 5, 10 people) and First Holy Communion (on August 21, 10 people), and on January 15, 2017 the first pastoral council, including its first president Gregorio Lee Cheol-su, was appointed. Afterwards, First Holy Communion (18 people) on August 20, 2017, a baptism ceremony (26 people) on December 23, First Holy Communion (19 people) on January 28, 2018, and the sacrament of Confirmation (69 people) on February 25 are recorded. On July 22, 2018 there was the appointment ceremony for the 1th class of altar servers, and on June 23, 2019 there was the appointment of the 2th class of altar servers. On January 27, 2019 the 2th pastoral council, including Vice President Veronica Choe Jeong-im, was appointed, and on December 15 Francesco Tak Byeong-hyeon as the 2st pastoral council president, along with pastoral council members and group leaders, was appointed.

[Change of parish priests] The history records that on February 18, 2020 Father Alberto Jo Ju-hwan took office as the 2th parish priest, and on February 8, 2022 Father Paul Jo Hyeon-jun took office as the 3th parish priest. On January 2020 there was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel by the parish priest and his companions, and there were First Holy Communion (28 people) on October 24, 2021 and a baptism ceremony (5 people) on August 15, 2021.

[Jurisdiction] The website introduction states that as of September 2026 its jurisdiction includes Donae-dong, Heungdo-dong, Changneung-dong, Yongdu-dong, and the area south of Goyang-daero (Seongsa-dong, Wonheung-dong, Samsong-dong, and part of Dongsan-dong). The patron saint introduction page indicates that the parish patron is the ‘Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ and its feast day is listed as September 8.

Related Places and People

• Haengsin 1-dong, Wondang, and Jichuk-dong parishes: the website introduction states that Doraeul Catholic Church was divided from these areas in 2015.

References and Sources

1. Website of Doraeul Catholic Church, Uijeongbu Diocese, “Introduction.” Patron the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, division on August 27, 2015, start of construction on May 2016 and completion on January 2017, jurisdiction.
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/drl/default.aspx?mnucd=20001971
2. Website of Doraeul Catholic Church, Uijeongbu Diocese, “Parish History.” Designation of the new parish and appointment of the first parish priest in 2015, temporary parish, progress of church construction in 2016, formation of the pastoral council, appointment of parish priests.
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/drl/default.aspx?mnucd=20001972
3. Website of Doraeul Catholic Church, Uijeongbu Diocese, “Patron Saint.” Indication of the parish patron as the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8).
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/drl/default.aspx?mnucd=20001973
4. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Address Directory, list of Uijeongbu Diocese parishes, “Doraeul.” Date of establishment August 27, 2015.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/SearchList.aspx?cgubn=g&char=all&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000020&paged=100&sort=0&start=1&tbxSearch=