The church became a model for all Gothic-style churches and also represents the 19th-century modern architecture in Korea.


Construction of Myeongdong Cathedral, the first parish of Korea, began in 1887. The cornerstone was laid on May 8, 1892. Buried with the cornerstone was a list of missionaries in Korea and about 1,000 Korean Catholics who made special offerings for the construction, including labor. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on May 29, 1898.


We went inside for a few minutes to pray and I didn't know why but I definitely felt a deep connection that I started to cry silently. I was more than blown away by the experience.



Myeongdong Cathedral marked a new beginning of the history of the Korean Catholic Church which had been under severe persecution for about 100 years. As such, the Cathedral of the Seoul Archdiocese symbolizes the Catholic Church of Korea.


Formerly known as Jonghyeon Church, it was renamed as Myeongdong Church after the nation was liberated from the Japanese colonial rule in 1915. The church was designated as the 258th Historic Site of the nation on November 22, 1977.