- Myeongdong Cathedral
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Myeongdong Cathedral 
Korean name Hangul 명동 대성당 Hanja 明洞大聖堂 Revised Romanization Myeongdong Daeseongdang McCune–Reischauer Myŏngdong Daesŏngdang The Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Myeongdong, commonly known as Myeongdong Cathedral, is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seoul, South Korea, located in the Myeongdong neighborhood of Jung-gu, Seoul. It is a neighborhood landmark and a symbol of Christianity in Korea and of political dissidents.
The cathedral is one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Korea, although lacking exterior ornamentation. It was constructed of twenty types of locally fired red and gray bricks. The main building rises to 23m high while the steeple, which contains a clock, rises to 45m. It was designated National Historic Site #258 on November 22, 1977.[1]
History
Christianity was heavily persecuted in Joseon era Korea. Still, interest in it grew as an academic novelty, notably among members of the Silhak (실학; "practical learning") school, attracted to what they saw as its egalitarian values.[2] Catholicism gained ground as a belief in the 19th century through the work of French missionaries, the persecutions of whom led to an 1866 invasion by France.
After Joseon concluded of a commercial treaty with United States in 1882, Bishop Jean M. Blanc, Bishop of Korea, sought land to build a mission. Under the name Kim Gamilo, he acquired a vacant lot on Jonghyeon (Chong-Hyen), meaning "Bell Hill"; due to its proximity to a temple, Koreans had declined to build there.[3] An education center was constructed, and plans to build a church placed under the supervision of French priest Eugene Coste at the conclusion of a commercial treaty between Korea and France in 1887.[1]
Emperor Gojong held the ceremony of laying the first stone on August 5, 1892, and construction funds donated by Paris Mission Society. Construction cost around US$60,000.[3] However, because of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the subsequent death of Fr. Coste, the inauguration of the cathedral was postponed until May 29, 1898, when it was finally dedicated and consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin.[4] At its construction, it was the largest building in Seoul.[3]
In 1900 the relics of the Korean Martyrs who died in the 1866 persecution were moved to its crypt from the seminary in Yongsan-gu.
The initial name of Jonghyeon Cathedral (종현성당, 鐘峴聖堂), was replaced by Catholic Church (천주교회 天主敎會) during Korea under Japanese rule. It was later changed to commemorate the 1945 liberation from Imperial Japan into the present Myeongdong Cathedral.
Roman Catholic clergy were among the leading critics of South Korea's military rule in the 1970s and 1980s, and Myeongdong Cathedral became a center of Minjung political and labor protest as well as a sanctuary for the protesters;[5] indeed, it was nicknamed the "Mecca" of pro-democracy activists.[6] Catholic and future President Kim Dae-jung held a rally at the cathedral in 1976 to demand the resignation of President Park Chung Hee, and some 600 student-led protesters staged a hunger strike inside in 1987 after the torture and death of university student Park Jong-chol.[7]
Even in the years since democratization, the government has been reluctant to enter the cathedral to arrest protesters, making Myeongdong too popular a protest spot in the views of some priests and worshippers. The cathedral attempted to ban protesters who did not have prior approval in 2000 after a demonstration in which telecommunications unionists beat female churchgoers and vandalized church property.[7]
References
- ^ a b Cultural Heritage Administration (Republic of Korea). "Heritage Information: Myeongdongseongdang". http://jikimi.cha.go.kr/english/search_plaza_new/ECulresult_Db_View.jsp?VdkVgwKey=13,02580000,11. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ Seoul International Publishing House (1983). Focus on Korea, Korean History. Seoul. pp. 7–8..
- ^ a b c F. Ohlinger, H. G. Appenzeller, George Heber Jones (January 1898), The Korean repository, 5, p. 239
- ^ "History of Myeong Dong Cathedral". www.mdsd.or.kr. http://www.mdsd.or.kr/pilgrim/eng/default.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
- ^ Conde, Carlos H. (April 3, 2005). "Asians Pay Tribute to the Pope". International Herald Tribune. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/03/international/europe/03cnd-asia.html.
- ^ The Associated Press (March 7, 2008). "SKorean priests lead campaign against 'economic dictator' Samsung". http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/07/asia/AS-GEN-SKorea-Church-Vs.-Samsung.php.
- ^ a b Lee, Dong-min (March 22, 2002). "Myeongdong Cathedral Fighting Image of Protest Haven". Korea Herald.
External links
- (Korean) Myeongdong Cathedral Official Website (Korean)
- (English) Myeongdong Cathedral English information, providing history, architectural and decorative highlights, service schedule, and directions
Categories:- Cathedrals in South Korea
- Jung-gu, Seoul
- Roman Catholic Church in South Korea
- Roman Catholic cathedrals in Asia
- Religious buildings completed in 1898
- 19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings
- Churches in Seoul
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