‘Sejong Bugang Catholic Church’ Registered as National Registered Cultural Heritage

Partial exterior view of a Hanok building inside Sejong Bugang Catholic Church. Provided by Sejong City

[Asia Economy (Sejong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Sejong City announced on the 25th that the 'Sejong Bugang Catholic Church' located in Bugang-myeon has been registered as a National Registered Cultural Heritage (No. 784).

Bugang Catholic Church is a church where the current church building, constructed in 1962, coexists with a hanok-style church used since 1957, allowing the architectural transition process in the Chungbuk region since the 1950s to be observed.

In particular, the current main sanctuary of Bugang Catholic Church uses a North American church architectural style resembling the Maryknoll Foreign Mission Society church in the United States, unlike the typical European Gothic style of the Paris Foreign Missions Society church.

The North American church architectural style features Romanesque stone construction with semi-circular arches and thick walls, but the roof is a hybrid form combining Eastern and Western elements with Chinese-style tiles. The bell tower's upper four walls have openings that express wooden furniture-style pillars and beams, which is a distinctive characteristic.

Additionally, the hanok-style church building, constructed in 1934 and used since 1957, has been repurposed as a convent and meeting room after the current main sanctuary was built.

Bugang Catholic Church is considered a rare case as it allows a comprehensive view of the architectural transition of churches in the Chungbuk region from hanok to North American styles.

Furthermore, it holds historical records of Catholic missionary activities in the Bugang area after the Korean War and has contributed to regional development through various volunteer activities, making it highly valuable for religious and local historical preservation.

Lee Chil-bok, head of the Tourism and Cultural Heritage Division of the city, said, "The city welcomes the registration of Bugang Catholic Church as a National Registered Cultural Heritage," and added, "Going forward, the city will strive to discover, preserve, and utilize modern cultural heritage that is disappearing due to urbanization, befitting the name of Sejong as a cultural city."

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