Jigeum-dong (2nd District Head) Catholic Church

Overview

Jigeum-dong Church is the district head parish of the 2 District of the Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu, serving the Dasan-dong area of Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. In 1992 it separated from Guri Parish and began as a Catholic mission chapel, and in 1995 it was elevated to a parish. The parish homepage introduces St. Joseph as its patron saint.

History

According to the church history on the parish homepage, on November 26, 1992 it separated from Guri Parish, purchased 140 pyeong on the 2 floor of the Galsan Building at 135-1 Jigeum-dong, and started a mission chapel. On January 12, 1993 Migeum Church (provisional name) branched off, and on January 23 the first Mass was celebrated by Father Mingabino. On September 6, 1995 it was elevated from the Migeum mission chapel to Jigeum-dong Church. The Digital Namyangju Culture Encyclopedia also records that in 1992 it separated from Guri Parish and started as the Migeum mission chapel and in 1995 it was elevated to a parish.

On March 2, 2003 zones were reorganized following the redevelopment of the Jigeum-dong area and the completion of move-in at the Buyeong Apartments. On October 11, 2004 the enthronement of Joseph Lee Han-taek, the first bishop of the Diocese of Uijeongbu, took place, and on September 28, 2010 it was elevated to a district head parish (parish homepage). The Culture Encyclopedia states that in 2010 it was designated the head parish of the 2 District of the Diocese of Uijeongbu. On September 8, 2015 the 20 anniversary Mass of the parish was celebrated.

Architecture and Space

According to the parish homepage, on April 6, 2006 it moved to a temporary sanctuary at 81-4 Jigeum-dong, with the groundbreaking ceremony for the main sanctuary on January 6, 2008, the entrance ceremony for the main sanctuary on May 9, 2009, and the dedication Mass for the main sanctuary celebrated by Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon on July 4, 2010. The Culture Encyclopedia also records the entrance ceremony for the main sanctuary on May 9, 2009.

Faith Significance and Visiting Context

The Culture Encyclopedia records that as of June 2022 the Jigeum-dong area was organized into 20 zones and administered through 14 sections, operating the Jinseong Senior Academy and serving the local community, including supporting school uniform costs for children of low-income families in 2015. The parish homepage introduction to the patron saint gives the feast day of St. Joseph as March 19.

Related Places and People

• Guri Church - the parish from which the Jigeum-dong community separated in 1992
• Father Mingabino - the priest who celebrated the first Mass in 1993

References and Sources

1. Jigeum-dong Church, Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu, Church History. Confirms the separation from Guri Parish and start of the mission chapel in 1992, elevation to a parish in 1995, zone reorganization in 2003, relocation and construction of the sanctuary in 2006–2010, and elevation to district head parish in 2010.
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/jgd/history?mnucd=20001502
2. Academy of Korean Studies, Digital Namyangju Culture Encyclopedia, “Jigeum-dong Church”. Confirms the launch of the mission chapel in 1992 and elevation to a parish in 1995, the entrance ceremony for the main sanctuary in 2009, designation as district head parish in 2010, zone organization and community service activities.
   https://www.grandculture.net/namyangju/toc/GC08901021
3. Jigeum-dong Church, Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu, Patron Saint. Confirms that the patron saint is St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and that his feast day is March 19.
   http://sd.uca.or.kr/jgd/default.aspx?mnucd=20001503