▲ The Gongseri Catholic Church

The Gongseri Catholic Church located at Asan, Chungnam was designated as “the most beautiful Catholic church” by the Korean Tourism Organization in 2005. Often used as a filming location for films and soap operas, the building has scenic surroundings, beautiful views and a blessed atmosphere.

Chungcheong: The First Western Building on Gongseri Hill

The Gongseri Catholic Church is the main Catholic parish. It sits at the first site where early missionaries landed. A common house was purportedly used as a church in the early years. However, a building featuring gothic architecture was built in 1922 soon became the main facility known as the Gongseri Catholic Church.

At the time of its construction, the church became a local landmark, attracting a large number of people from various regions who came to see it because it was the first Western-style building constructed in Chungcheongnam-do.

Devise Father designed the current church, which is considered a valuable site when studying the innovations and development of Korean architectural history.

The Gongseri Catholic Church is famous for its beautiful scenery, surrounded by trees which are hundreds of years of old, including the legally protected 330-year-old hackberry tree. Gongseri Hills, where the hackberry tree planted in the 1680s stands tall, overlooks Asan Bay and Pyeongtaekho Lake, as well as the Asanman Breakwater in between.

Due to the construction of the old parish and rectory buildings in 1897, the old tree was removed to the current site, which is 3m below its original planting site, and has stood witness to the transformations of the church.

The Gongseri Catholic Church is Chuncheongnam-do monument No. 144. The site also hosts three graveyards with the tombs of martyrs from the Byeongin Persecution (1866).

The site is a 4626 sq.ft. area parish which also contains a rectory, a retreat house, a meeting room, as well as beautiful views of the verdant nature itself. The main hall was constructed from red stones. The interior has a grey ceiling in the shape of a rainbow.

There is a high steeple on the face of the church. The church was an architectural fusion of Gothic and Byzantine styles. The Korean roof tiles called Kiwa were used for the roof of priest’s office. This detail yields deep historical insights toward the development of modern Korean architecture.

Exotic Atmosphere of Catholic Church Shown among Thick Old Trees

Located on a hill, the Gongseri Catholic Church overlooks the Asan Bay Breakwater running between Asan Bay and Pyeongtaek Lake. Along with the beautiful, antique architecture, its stunning scenery surrounded by trees is also famous for its legally-protected 330-year old hackberry tree.

Thanks to the exotic and antique scenery of the Catholic Church, about 70 films and movies were shot here, including Taegukgi, Love and Ambition, You’re Handsome etc. Many visitors continuously come to the Gongseri Catholic Church to enjoy the holy scenery which changes with the four seasons.

Catholic Holy Pilgrim

With 32 martyrs’ gravesites who died during missionary activities near Naepo regions, Gongseri Catholic Church is full of stories. Looking around the museum or walking on the Road of Cross which goes around the church could prove to be a singular experience.

Devise Father’s relics on display at the museum seem to tell the martyrdom history clearly. While walking along the Road of Cross under the trees, you will see 14 sculptures illustrating the moment Jesus carried the cross to Calvary Mountain.