20 of the biggest churches in Korea that are worth visiting
When it comes to megastructures, the world has some of the most magnificent ones. From churches to cathedrals, these megastructures have unique histories and architecture, attracting millions of yearly visitors. South Korea is no different; it is home to some vast Christian worship spaces. Which are the biggest churches in Korea worth visiting?
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Christianity is one of the fastest-growing religions in South Korea. The country has a significant representation of Catholicism and Evangelicalism that attract huge congregations. The country's churches are growing and constructing megastructures for their large ever-growing flocks.
The biggest churches in Korea
Is Christianity accepted in Korea? Yes. Christianity in South Korea revolves mainly around Catholics and protestants. Catholicism was first introduced in the country in the early 1600s but faced opposition from the monarchy in the mid-1750s.
So, does South Korea have churches? Yes, it does. The country has some of the world's largest places of worshipping. Below are the 20 most significant churches in South Korea.
1. Yoido Full Gospel Church
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What is the most popular church in Korea? The Yoido Full Gospel Parish is the most popular chapel, with over 800,000 members. The parish is South Korea's largest and one of the world's largest Pentecostal ministries. David Yonggi Cho founded it on 18 May 1973 in Daejod*ng, Seoul.
2. Myungsung Presbyterian Church
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Myungsung Presbyterian, founded in 1980 by Dr Kim Sam-whan, is one of South Korea's fastest-growing chapels, with over 100,000 members. Its headquarters are in Myung-il-d*ng, Seoul, South Korea, and its Prayer Sanctuary is in Wonju. It is well-known for its modern worship style and use of technology in its services.
3. Onnuri Community Church
Source: UGC
Onnuri Community Parish makes it to the list of churches in South Korea because of its large congregation. It boasts a weekly attendance of 50,500. Founded in 1984 by Ha Yong-jo, the church is known for its dynamic worship services and focus on community outreach.
4. Sarang Community Church
Source: UGC
Sarang Community Sanctuary is a Presbyterian parish in Seoul founded in 1978. It has over 80,000 members and emphasises small-group fellowship and discipleship. The congregation also places a high value on missions, with many of its members serving as missionaries worldwide.
5. Suwon Central Baptist
Source: UGC
Suwon Central Baptist is an Evangelical Christian Baptist megachurch in Suwon, South Korea, founded in 1951. The Korea Baptist Convention is a part of the Baptist institution in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do province. The parish currently has a reported weekly attendance of 30,000 people.
6. Global Mission Church (GMC)
Source: UGC
Jiguchon Mission Church (GMC) is a Baptist megachurch in the Bundang neighbourhood of Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in January 1994 by Daniel D*ng-Won Lee, who retired early in 2011 and was replaced as lead pastor by Dr Peter Chin. The parish has an estimated weekly attendance of 25,000 people.
7. Myeongdong Cathedral
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Are there Catholic churches in Korea? Yes, there are. The Myeongdong Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of the V*rgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, is one of the first catholic parishes in the country. It is located in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, dating to 1898 during the Joseon Dynasty.
8. Seoul Anglican Cathedral
Source: UGC
This institution has various names, including the Cathedral Church of St Mary the V*rgin and St Nicholas, Seoul Anglican Cathedral, and the Seoul Cathedral. It is adjacent to the Seoul City Hall, the British Embassy in Seoul, Seoul Metropolitan Council, and Deoksugung.
9. Seoul Sungrak Church
Source: UGC
If you want a megastructure to visit in South Korea, the Seoul Sungrak Parish in Girogu, Seoul, is ideal. The Baptist institution was founded in 1979 by Ki D*ng Kim, a Korean Christian pastor and poet. As of 2009, the chapel had an estimated 170,000 members.
10. Jubilee Seoul
Source: UGC
Jubilee Church is located in the heart of Seoul, Myeong-d*ng. If you are looking for an English-speaking ministry to attend, the Jubilee Seoul is among the top Christian churches in South Korea to follow. The sanctuary has weekly Sunday Services and Wednesday meetings.
11. Namcheon Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Source: UGC
The Namcheon Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Busan is among the top tourist destinations in the area. The cathedral has magnificent architecture and is one of the leading Roman Catholic institutions in the country.
12. Kwanglim Church
Source: UGC
Kwanglim Methodist, located in Nonhyunro 175 Gil 49, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is a religious institution with a rich history. The founders established the parish in 1956. Currently, in 2023 the congregation has over 30,000 members.
13. Catholic International Parish, Seoul
Source: UGC
The Seoul International Catholic Parish is among the most visited spots by tourists in the country. Its architecture has ancient Roman designs and some modern ones at 90 Hannam-Daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
14. Youngnak Presbyterian Church
Source: UGC
The Youngnak Presbyterian Church (YN) is among the earliest religious institutions located in the country. The place of worship was founded in Seoul on 2 December 1945 by Kyung-Chik Han, a 1992 Templeton Prize recipient.
15. Yeoksam Catholic Church
Source: UGC
Yeoksam Catholic Parish is one of the most visited catholic institutions in the country. It is located near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam and offers most services in Korea. However, they have a special mass on Sunday mornings for English-speaking guests.
16. Seoul Union Church
Source: UGC
Seoul Union is a non-denominational sanctuary in the School of Theology Seminary Chapel on the Yonsei University Campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Although it is on a school campus, it is open to anyone and holds various services in English on Sunday mass.
17. Suwon Jeil Church
Source: UGC
Suwon Jeil English Parish, also the First Church of Suwon, is a black-brick Gothic-style Presbyterian church built in 1953. The institution is among the top ones offering all sermons in English. They also offer English classes to the local children on the premise.
18. Daeheung-d*ng Catholic Church
Source: UGC
Daeheung-d*ng Catholic Parish in Daejeon is over 60 years old, built-in 1962. Its design is the modernist architectural style approach adopted by Korean Catholic parishes of the mid-twentieth century.
19. Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Daegu
Source: UGC
The Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral is a religious building in the Daegu part of North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral follows the Roman or Latin rite and functions as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Archdiocese, created in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.
20. Yakhyeon Catholic Church
Source: UGC
Yakhyeon Catholic Parish is a historic place of worship of the Jungnim-d*ng, Jung District, Seoul. It was the first Catholic institution established in the city and the first Gothic-style church in Korea. The parish is a part of the Archdiocese of Seoul, established in 1892 by the French Catholic missionary Father Eugene Jean Georges Coste.
Why are there so many churches in South Korea?
It is a result of the rising Christian base in the country, which was a side effect of the Japanese invasion from 1910 to 1945. King Kojong embraced Western ideologies to modernise the country and release the growing Japanese imperialism.
How many churches are in Seoul, South Korea?
Unfortunately, there is yet to be a definite number online. However, according to a 2012 government survey, the country had an estimated 77,000 churches, with 29% of the population being Christian.
The biggest churches in Korea have gained international recognition for their sizes and influence. The country has become synonymous with megachurches, from Catholicism and Protestantism to non-denomination institutions. If you want to visit the country, the abovementioned venues should be on your bucket list.
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