Nabawi Catholic Church

About this place

Nabawi Catholic Church was built to commemorate the landing of Father Kim Dae-geon (Korea's first Catholic priest) at the Hwangsan ferry crossing in the 11th year of King Heonjong (1845) after receiving ordination to the priesthood in China together with Bishop Ferreol and Father Daveluy. The first pastor, Father Beremoles (Jang Yak-seul, Joseph), took the lead in beginning construction in 1906 and completing the building in 1907. The design was assisted by Father Poanel of Myeongdong Cathedral, and the construction was carried out by Chinese workers. Nabawi Church is a sacred site designated by the Korean Catholic Church because it is where Korea's first priest, Saint Kim Dae-geon, first preached the Gospel. This building is considered an example of early church architecture in Korea that skillfully harmonizes Western-style church design with Korean architectural style. The mud walls were replaced with brick construction and a Gothic-style brick bell tower was added between 1916 and 1917. The Nabawi Church building, with its Korean traditional architecture style of wooden construction with a tiled roof, is particularly noted for its corridors (hoerang), which embody Korean aesthetic sensibility. The octagonal windows designed for lighting are even more beautiful at night as they harmonize with the pine trees. Originally named Hwasan Catholic Church, it is now known as 'Nabawi Church.' Nabawi Church, as befitting a Korean Catholic holy site, has notable attractions including the Kim Dae-geon Martyrdom Stele, erected on the 100th anniversary of Father Kim's martyrdom, and Manggeumjeong Pavilion, built in 1915 by Father Vermeersch to assist with Bishop Demange's retreat. The pavilion is located on the broad rock called Nabawi at the end of Hwasan Mountain, creating a beautiful scene with the surrounding landscape. Below the flat rock where the pavilion stands, a cliff face bears a rock carving of three Buddhist statues.