Songnae-dong Catholic Church

Overview

Songnae-dong Church is a parish belonging to the 4 District of the Catholic Uijeongbu Diocese in Dongducheon City, Gyeonggi Province. Its patron is Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. It is a parish started through the cooperation of the priests and faithful of Dongducheon Church, established around the new-town residential area. As for the date of establishment, the directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea records April 6, 2008, while the parish homepage records in September 2009, recording them differently.

History

According to the parish introduction on the Dongducheon Church homepage, from the time when Father Kim Seok-won (Patrizio) was serving as pastor of Dongducheon Church (taking office in March 2002), the growth of Dongducheon Church led to the recognition that a division into the Songnae area was needed, and the plan to divide Songnae Church, including the purchase of land, proceeded. When the Uijeongbu Diocese was newly established from the Seoul Archdiocese in July 2004, Father Lee Seong-man (Thomas), the 18 pastor of Dongducheon Church, Father Lee Seok-jae (Paul), the first pastor of the planned Songnae Church, and assistant priest Father Jeong Won-sik (Joseph) were appointed together to Dongducheon Church.

However, the pastor and the faithful agreed that the time had not yet come and reported this to the diocese, and from November 24, 2005 the division of Songnae Church was temporarily put on hold, and Dongducheon Church and Songnae Church came to conduct integrated ministry. Accordingly, Father Lee Seok-jae, who had come as the first pastor of Songnae Church, took charge as the 19 pastor of Dongducheon Church.

Afterwards, construction of Songnae Church continued to be promoted in 2006, leveling of the church site was completed, and on March 31, 2007 a groundbreaking Mass was celebrated. About 7 months after the start of construction the building was completed and on October 21, 2007 it was blessed with the diocesan bishop presiding. The Dongducheon Church parish introduction writes that thereby one church came to have church buildings in two areas.

The parish homepage introduces that Songnae-dong Church was established in September 2009 and celebrated its 10 anniversary in 2019. The directory of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea records the date of establishment of the Songnae-dong Parish as April 6, 2008.

Architecture and Spaces

According to the Dongducheon Church parish introduction, the Songnae Church building blessed on October 21, 2007 is a 5-story building on a site of 9,865.5㎡ with a building area of 473.02㎡ and a total floor area of 1,443.22㎡. Construction proceeded for about 7 months after the groundbreaking Mass on March 31, 2007.

Religious Meaning and Visiting Context

The parish homepage introduces Songnae-dong Church as a sanctuary proclaiming the Gospel of God and as a place established as a center of Catholic faith centered on the new-town residential area, explaining that it is a ground where Catholics are assured of spiritual growth in faith. The patron saint is Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

Related Places and People

• Dongducheon Church: the mother parish from which Songnae-dong Church originated, which conducted integrated ministry with Songnae Church from 2005
• Father Lee Seok-jae (Paul): appointed in July 2004 as the first pastor of the planned Songnae Church, and served as the 19 pastor of Dongducheon Church during the period of integrated ministry
• Father Lee Seong-man (Thomas): the 18 pastor of Dongducheon Church appointed in July 2004, who later focused on ministry as head of the 4 District of the Uijeongbu Diocese

References and Sources

1. Songnae-dong Church, Uijeongbu Diocese, Introduction. Confirmation of introduction as established in September 2009, 10 anniversary in 2019, started through cooperation of Dongducheon Church priests and faithful, and as a church centered on the new-town residential area.
   https://sd.uca.or.kr/dsndc/default.aspx?mnucd=20003238
2. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Korean Catholic Directory (Songnae-dong Parish). Confirmation of belonging to the 4 District of the Uijeongbu Diocese, establishment date April 6, 2008, and patron Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
   https://directory.cbck.or.kr/OnlineAddress/Catholic/DetailInfo.aspx?cgubn=c&char=all&code=201000281&gubn=4&gubn2=all&gyogu=201000020
3. Dongducheon Church, Uijeongbu Diocese (parish homepage), Parish Introduction. Confirmation of plan to divide Songnae Church, appointment of first pastor in July 2004, suspension of division and integrated ministry on November 24, 2005, groundbreaking and blessing in 2007, and building scale.
   https://m.cafe.daum.net/catholictdc/SNVn/5