-
Start
-
Catholic Churches
-
Solmoe Holy Ground
-
Chusa Gim Jeong-hee
-
Ganwolam
-
Finish
Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church 공세리 성당
There are four places you shouldn't forget to drop by if you are planning to go to Taean, and one of them is related to Catholic religion. First destination is Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church. The harmonization of old trees' branches with hoary look of the church and blue sky makes it the most beautiful Catholic Church in Korea. Most of the church scenes in Korean dramas or movies was filmed here, so I've heard. Especially the masterpiece filmed here was
Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church has a 120-year-old history since it was built in 1890, and it was selected as the most beautiful Catholic Church by Korea Tourism Organization.
I also heard that when Father Devise was newly appointed in 1895, Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church was separated from the parish church, Yangchon Catholic Cathedral, and newly built. Gongseri is originated from Gongsechang that used to keep tax collected from southwest regions of Chungcheongdo during Joseon Dynasty period. It was Yi Jon-chang who preached the gospel around Gongseri region located in Naepo, Chungcheongdo and who used to be called Apostle of Naepo around the time when Catholic was first spread in Korea, and there have been so many Catholics and martyrs since then.
In winter, bare branches of zelkova trees trembling in the breeze creates holy atmosphere. It makes you feel you are walking into a new dimension far away from the world.
NIKON Df | f/7.1 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 09:51:23 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
The hundreds of years of branches, which probably would be older than the church, are spreading like devil's touch and the Virgin Mary seems to be protecting against it and asking for God's grace through pray. I think I like this composition when I take pictures.
NIKON Df | f/7.1 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 09:55:56 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
NIKON Df | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 09:57:24 | Flash did not fire. | 58mm
DMC-GX7 | f/8.0 | iso 200 | 2014:12:30 09:49:50 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 14mm
NIKON Df | f/2.0 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 09:58:14 | Flash did not fire. | 58mm
When the church was built in 1985, it was a tile-roofed house but it was rebuilt in a western-style in 1920. It was designed and directed by the first pastor, Father Devise. He was from another country yet he managed to build this beautiful architecture and I guess it was possible all because of his passion for religion. It's built in Gothic style with sharp and soaring spires, and it has small and round rose-shaped windows in the center. The building in general is straight tall and fancy.
DMC-GX7 | f/7.1 | iso 200 | 2014:12:30 09:54:29 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
Even the top of entrance is sharp with ridges. As I took a picture from below, it looks like the tower is endlessly high.
NIKON Df | f/1.4 | iso 640 | 2014:12:30 10:04:25 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
I was looking at the front side sitting on the floor of the church. I felt relaxed and devout.
DMC-GX7 | f/4.0 | iso 3200 | 2014:12:30 10:03:50 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
Round and high arched ceiling makes the church look steeper and higher. It was chilly inside the church since it was winter but the colorful light through stained glass made it warm.
DMC-GX7 | f/4.0 | iso 3200 | 2014:12:30 10:06:47 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 11mm
I was trying to be a Catholic for a second and whispered quietly while I dipped my finger in holy water and made the sign of the cross.
“May almighty God, cleanse me of my sins, expel the devil's spirits and lead us not into devil's temptation with this holy water."
NIKON Df | f/7.1 | iso 450 | 2014:12:30 10:09:23 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
You can't miss stained glass when it comes to Gothic style. Through the stained glass of winter looking from the inside of the church, light was coming in like God's bless, and the story of Jesus's suffering was illustrated on the window. It was not glamorous but the drawing of pure and innocent colors and smooth lines like in a fairy tale book attracted me. It has its unique attraction different from complicated and delicate stained glass used in Europe.
DMC-GX7 | f/4.0 | iso 250 | 2014:12:30 10:10:04 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
NIKON Df | f/7.1 | iso 4000 | 2014:12:30 10:11:41 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
NIKON Df | f/5.6 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 10:13:55 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
NIKON Df | f/3.5 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 10:14:36 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
I could assume the age of more than 100 years from the view under the steps. I could also see a fragment of life from the silhouette of a middle-aged couple in the church.
Address: Seongdang-gil, Gongse-ri, Inju-myeon, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 아산시 인주면 공세리 성당길)
Hapdeok Catholic Churc 합덕성당
NIKON Df | f/5.6 | iso 125 | 2014:12:30 10:48:34 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
Hapdeok Catholic Church has shared its history with Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church since 1890. Since the Catholic Persecution in 1791 to another one in 1866, there have been so many companions and martyrs who died for their faith in this region(Naepo). Ever since the Catholics gained the freedom for religion since Korea-France treaty in 1886, two parish churches were established in Naepo, one is Ganyanggol, formerly Gongseri Shrine parish church, and Yangchon parish church, formerly Hapdeok parish church. As the latter one was moved to Hapdeok-ri in 1899, it was given its current name, Hapdeok Catholic Church. Korean-style Catholic Church which was unimaginable at the time was built in 1921 by Father Ferrin.
DMC-GX7 | f/6.3 | iso 200 | 2014:12:30 10:49:45 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
We headed for Dangjin Hapdeok Catholic Church. Climbed up so many steps and the church showed up.
NIKON Df | f/5.6 | iso 110 | 2014:12:30 10:51:12 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
NIKON Df | f/11.0 | iso 320 | 2014:12:30 10:53:07 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
Unlike Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church where Virgin Mary was protecting the church, Hapdeok Catholic Church had Jesus in front. This is the impressive look of Hapdeok Catholic Church with two spires and Jesus statue.
DMC-GX7 | f/9.0 | iso 200 | 2014:12:30 10:48:09 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
In the picture, the church looks like a model made with toy blocks. It looks more solid and simple, quite different from sharp shape of Gongseri Shrine Catholic Church. While Gongseri Church had only one high top in the middle, Hapdeok Church has two spires which make it look more balanced. Romanesque style is characterized by this round, blunt and simple design. The three entrances also form the smooth shape of semicircle. The windows are also rounded at the end.
NIKON Df | f/11.0 | iso 360 | 2014:12:30 10:53:25 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
DMC-GX7 | f/9.0 | iso 200 | 2014:12:30 10:56:38 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
DMC-GX7 | f/4.0 | iso 1250 | 2014:12:30 10:53:01 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
Round arch-style ceiling stands out when I got inside the church, which is a characteristic of Romanesque architecture.
DMC-GX7 | f/4.0 | iso 3200 | 2014:12:30 10:52:18 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 7mm
I couldn't help but notice the building model displayed at the back inside the chapel.
NIKON Df | f/2.2 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 10:53:48 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
NIKON Df | f/2.2 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 10:54:06 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
Jesus looks benevolent and gracious with his arms open under the light color of blue sky, not entirely dark blue.
NIKON Df | f/11.0 | iso 1600 | 2014:12:30 10:55:40 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
The windows were simple without stained glass.
NIKON Df | f/1.8 | iso 100 | 2014:12:30 11:01:07 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
The point in this picture is to look at alter that looks so far away imagining the empty seats are filled with Catholics.
NIKON Df | f/3.5 | iso 140 | 2014:12:30 11:01:25 | Flash did not fire. | 24mm
Address : 22, Hapdeokseongdang 2-gil, Hapdeok-eup, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do (충남 당진시 합덕읍 합덕성당 2길 22)
