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Nabawi Catholic Church Is The Oldest Catholic Church In Jeolla-do Korea
The Nabawi Catholic Church is in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province. It is the oldest Catholic church still standing in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to remember when priest Kim Dae-geon returned from China in 1845 (Joseon dynasty) after being ordained there.
The Nabawi Catholic Church is in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province. It is the oldest Catholic church still standing in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to remember when priest Kim Dae-geon returned from China in 1845 (Joseon dynasty) after being ordained there.
Nabawi Catholic Church
When priest Kim Dae-gun came back from China, the first place he went was Nabawi. He left Korea when he was 15 years old, in December 1836. In 1845, on October 12, he returned to Nabawi, Korea. The building was started in 1906 to honor priest Kim Dae-gun.
Iit was finished in 1907. The building was designed by the prince Peuwanel, and Chinese workers put it together. The house was built in the traditional Korean style.
The Korean Catholic Church has chosen the Nabawi Catholic Church as a holy place. It is an old cathedral that combines the style of western cathedrals with the type of Korean architecture.
The beauty of Korea is especially shown in the gallery of the Nabawi Catholic Church. At night, the octagon window and pine tree look great together. The name was originally “Whasan catholic church, but its name was changed to “Nabawi catholic church”.
Inside the church are two memorials. One was built in 1954 to honour French missionary Joseph Vermorel (1860–1937), and the other was built in 1955 to honour priest and martyr Kim Dae-geon. Many Catholics visit the church yearly because it is thought to be the most important Catholic relic in the Jeolla-do region.
How To Get There?
- Location: 146, Nabawi 1-gil, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do 전라북도 익산시 망성면 나바위1길 146
- Admission: FREE
- Open all the time
