Do You Know the Oldest 100-Year-Old Cathedral in Busan? Built with Priest's Death Insurance Money

100th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Anglican Church of Korea Busan Cathedral

Concert and Thanksgiving Eucharist on 26-27, Performance by Seol Woon-do

Did you know there is a 100-year-old cathedral in Busan?

Among cathedrals and church chapels, there is a 100-year-old building in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region that is the oldest. It is the Anglican Cathedral of Busan Diocese, located in Daecheong-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, which was consecrated in 1924 and expanded thereafter.

The Daehan Anglican Cathedral, the episcopal seat in Daecheong-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

In 1903, Japanese Anglican believers living in Busan and Canadian Anglican missionary Father Cartwright established the church. After the missionary passed away in 1914, the cathedral was built in 1924 using his death insurance money and donations from the believers. This cathedral, which retains Romanesque architectural style, was designated as Registered Cultural Heritage No. 573 in 2013.

On the 26th at 5:30 PM, singer Seol Woon-do will visit this cathedral. He will take the stage for the 100th anniversary consecration concert, sharing heartfelt and flavorful trot music along with life stories. The female vocal ensemble Daol will showcase the essence of church music from classical to modern, and cultural psychologist Dr. Park Sang-mi will give a lecture on how to strengthen the muscles of the mind.

At the 100th anniversary thanksgiving Eucharist held that day, 100th anniversary commemorative goods and cathedral experience booths will be set up to share with the community.

The bell tower, built when this cathedral was established, has been ringing for 100 years. The bell that used to ring every morning now only sounds at 11 AM on Sundays so as not to startle the neighbors.

The 100-year-old bell tower at the Anglican Church of Korea Busan Cathedral.

About 70 believers and priests who attend the cathedral mass every week will welcome guests with a handwritten Bible manuscript written with ballpoint pens. This manuscript, dedicated last year, is a holy book completed in about eight months by all the believers of the Busan Anglican Cathedral, meticulously copying the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Believer Kim Hye-jung said, “I wrote two parts of the gospel by hand,” and added, “During the Korean War, my mother took refuge at this cathedral, so even though it is far from home, I have been attending here continuously since getting married,” showing her attachment.

Father Lee Seong-ho John said, “The Anglican thanksgiving Eucharist holds a meaning similar to Protestant worship and Catholic mass,” and added, “We want to raise awareness of the existence of old Christian buildings in many local churches, remember the efforts and dedication of missionaries, and deepen our faith.”

A handwritten Bible completed with the participation of over 70 believers and priests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.