Gongju Jungdong Catholic Church

About this place

Jungdong Catholic Church is the first Catholic church in the Gongju area, established in 1897. French missionary Father Guinand was appointed as the first pastor, and under the 5th pastor Father Choe Jong-cheol, who was appointed in 1921, plans were made to build a new church, which was completed in 1937 in its current form. Subsequently, the auditorium 'House of Angels,' a new rectory, and a convent were completed, and in 1997, to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding, the church building underwent extensive renovation and was designated a Chungcheongnam-do Monument in 1998. Jungdong Catholic Church is assessed as a Gothic-style building from the transitional period between traditional wooden architecture and modern architecture. The floor plan of the main hall is a Latin cross shape, and the exterior is finished in red brick. There is a tall bell tower at the top of the central entrance, and the tops of the entrance doorway and windows are decorated with pointed arches. Nearby are the Gukgogae Cultural Street and the Chungnam History Museum, providing plenty to see in a single-day itinerary.