Immaculate Heart of Mary of Uijeongbu - Mother Cathedral of northern Gyeonggi

← Back to South Korea's Marian Advocations

The cathedral of Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, has as its patron Mary under the title of Immaculate Heart. The compound brings together a historic church of 1953, protected as a heritage, and the main temple consecrated in 2003. Since 2004 it has been the seat of a diocese that accompanies the north of the province of Gyeonggi.

De Deokjeong-ri a Uijeongbu

The parish chronology points out that in 1945 the headquarters moved from Deokjeong-ri to Uijeongbu and came to bear the name of the city. With the growth of the Catholic population, the parish became the mother community of the northern part of Gyeonggi.

The parishes of Dongducheon, Uijeongbu 1-dong, Yonghyeon-dong, Howon-dong and Singok 1-dong were later born, as well as other communities linked to their initial network. This pastoral fertility explains why he was later chosen as a cathedral.

The historic church of 1953

Father John Lee Gye-gwang promoted the construction of the temple completed in 1953. The church, with a single elongated ship inspired by the basic form, retains the sober character of the post-war Korean Catholic architecture.

In 2001 it was declared well cultural in the province of Gyeonggi. The national register maintains the historical name "church of Uijeongbu 2-dong," which it received after the creation of another parish in 1980.

Education, health and cooperation

The parish opened Seongmo kindergarten in 1954 and Our Lady's hospital in 1957. He also promoted a credit cooperative. Education, health care and solidarity economy were concrete ways of accompanying a city that grew after the war.

In 1953 a prasesidium of the Legion of Mary which was approved in 1957 and which the parish identifies as the oldest in the present diocese. This continuity helps to understand the central place of Marian spirituality in their community life.

The new temple of 2003

The community started a new construction in 2002. The major temple was completed and was consecrated in 2003 by Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin@-@ suk. The new ship made it possible to respond to the number of faithful without sacrificing the historical church.

This coexistence offers a respectful solution: to preserve the property building and, at the same time, to have a liturgical space suitable for an extensive urban community.

The diocese of Uijeongbu is born

St. John Paul II created the diocese on June 24, 2004, separating its territory from the archdiocese of Seoul. Fides Agency confirmed that the parish dedicated to the Heart of Mary would be its cathedral. Joseph Lee Han- taek was appointed first bishop.

The cathedral appears between the Jubilee churches of 2016 and 2025. Its condition does not come from a Marian apparition or a sanctuary title: it is the mother church of a diocese and a parish under Marian patronage.

"Sacred" or "Immaculate" Heart of Mary

Some international repertories translate patronage as Sacred Heart of Mary. The cathedral itself uses expressly Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Korean, which means the Heart of Mary without blemish.

By fidelity to the local source, this file adopts Immaculate Heart of Mary. The difference is terminological, not the existence of two different patterns in the same temple.

The heart that keeps and is given

The Directory of the Holy See explains that the memory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated the day after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The liturgical proximity expresses the Mother's union with her Son's saving work, from the Incarnation to Easter and Pentecost.

Benedict XVI presented that heart as a symbol of deep and unreserved union with Christ in love. He does not invite sentimentalism or to lock himself in: he leads to the gift of himself, Christ and his neighbor.

A heart for peace and wounded humanity

The situation of Uijeongbu, in a diocese near the inter-Korean border, gives special resonance to the prayer for reconciliation, but does not allow for the conversion of the advocation into a political slogan. Christian peace begins with truth, justice, forgiveness and care of the victims.

In the act of consecration of 2022, Pope Francis asked that the Heart of Mary move to compassion, to open doors and to take over the wounded humanity. That call links with the local history of education, hospital and cooperation.

Verified location

The parish, the heritage record and the ecclesial directory agree in 27 Sinheung-ro 265beon-gil. The territorial code 8Q99P2QR+WH delimits the enclosure; the individual temple file places the building in 37.7397181, 127.0414278, point used on the map.

To visit

It is an active cathedral and the ancient church is protected. It is appropriate to check the hours, to distinguish both buildings and not to enter closed spaces. It should be kept silent during the celebrations and be asked for permission before photographing people, liturgy or parish activities.

Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Uijeongbu

Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, keeps the Church of Uijeongbu in your Immaculate Heart. He accompanies children, the sick, families and workers; he blesses those who educate, heal and cooperate. About the divided peoples, comfort the victims and hold us responsible for the wounded humanity. Teach us to keep the Word, to give ourselves without reservation and to always follow your Son, Prince of Peace. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Uijeongbu Cathedral: patronage, identity, social work, Legion of Mary and buildings.
• Uijeongbu Cathedral: detailed parish chronology from 1945 to present.
• National Heritage Service of Korea: protection, direction and ownership of the historic temple.
• Fides News Agency: creation of the diocese and choice of the Marian church as a cathedral.
• GCatholic: cathedral condition, jubilee and territorial code.
• Holy See: liturgical sense of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• Benedict XVI: the Heart of Mary, union with Christ and giving to others.
• Pope Francis: compassion and care of wounded humanity.

Pray the Holy Rosary · See more calls from South Korea