Hopyeong-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Hopyeong-dong Church is a church in Hopyeong-dong, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, belonging to the 1 district of the Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu. It was established after separation from Pyeongnae Church, and the Digital Namyangju Culture Encyclopedia records this as an event of 2000. Its patron is Our Lady of Victory.

History

According to the Digital Namyangju Culture Encyclopedia, Hopyeong-dong Church was established in 2000 after separation from Pyeongnae Church, and its first pastor was Father Na Yohan. The parish history on the parish homepage also states that on December 8, 2000 it was divided from Pyeongnae Church to form Hopyeong-dong Church and the first pastor, Father Na Yohan, took office. Subsequently, on March 5, 2003 the 2th pastor, Father Cornelio Jeon, and on May 25, 2004 the 3th pastor, Father Paul Hong Geun-pyo, took office.

The parish history records that on June 24, 2004 the decree establishing the Diocese of Uijeongbu was announced and the appointment of Joseph Lee Han-taek as the first diocesan bishop was proclaimed. Then the 4th pastor, Father Pius Kim Hak-su (on September 15, 2004), the 5th pastor, Father Joseph Jo Jin-seop (on September 6, 2011), the 6th pastor, Father James Kim Gyeong-mo (on September 8, 2015), and the 7th pastor, Father Peter Bae Gyeong-min (on February 16, 2021) took office, and on February 18, 2025 the 8th pastor, Father Pius Kim U-seong, took office (parish homepage).

Architecture and Space

According to the parish homepage, on May 18, 2008 a Mass for the start of construction of the new church building was celebrated with Bishop Joseph Lee Han-taek presiding, and on October 15, 2009 the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church building was held. Following the completion ceremony for the new church building on June 30, 2011, a dedication Mass for the new church building was celebrated on July 3 with Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon presiding. The Culture Encyclopedia explains that after raising funds for the construction of the church building, construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2011.

Faith Significance and Visiting Context

The Culture Encyclopedia evaluates Hopyeong-dong Church as a church separated from Pyeongnae Church in view of population growth and the need for independent pastoral activity, and as showing the spread of Catholicism in Namyangju-si. It records that as of June 2022 it operated 9 divisions — seniors, finance, liturgy, mission, education, children and youth, social pastoral care, facilities management, and national reconciliation — and that small groups such as a reading club, altar servers association, Curia, Association for the Deceased, Bible study groups, and mothers association were active.

Related Places and People

• Pyeongnae Church - the parish from which Hopyeong-dong Church was separated
• Father Na Yohan - the first pastor

References and Sources

1. Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu, Hopyeong-dong Church, Parish History. Confirms the division from Pyeongnae Church on December 8, 2000 and the first pastor, the dates of installation of successive pastors, and the process of building the new church in 2008–2011.
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/hopyeong/history?mnucd=20003274
2. Academy of Korean Studies, Digital Namyangju Culture Encyclopedia, “Hopyeong-dong Church”. Confirms the establishment by separation from Pyeongnae Church in 2000, the church construction in 2008–2011, the first pastor, the patron, and the status of divisions and small groups.
   https://www.grandculture.net/namyangju/toc/GC08901024