Yakhyeon Catholic Church, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.252

Category

유적지

Era

1892년

Designated year

1977

Location

중구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 중구 청파로 447-1(중림동)

Coordinates

37.559153, 126.967481

Yakhyeon Catholic Church is the first modern structure in history of Korean architecture. It was designed and directed the construction, by Fr. Coste in 1892. Measuring 32m by 12m, it is not big as a Catholic church. The floor is shaped into a cross with a Gothic style. Two aspects make this cathedral a paragon for later Korean architecture, first, that it is the first example of western church architecture, and second, that although it may not be wholly after the Gothic style, it is still a Gothic structure in brick. Also the fact that it is located at a place which overlooks Seosomun Gate, the scene death of the death of many Christian martyrs during the period of persecution, endows it with historic significance for the history of Korean Catholicism as well as for its architecture.

Location