Our Lady of the Assumption of Pyeongtaek - Faith, mission and memory in Gyeonggi

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The Pyeongtaek church custody almost a century of parish life under the patronage of Mary raised to heaven. Its history links the first rural Catholic communities in the area, the mission formally launched in 1928, the suffering of the Korean war and a long tradition of service to children and families.

Roots before the parish

The Catholic presence in the Pyeongtaek region is pre-1928. The local tradition recalls the passage of Yi Seung-hun, Peter, the first Korean baptized, when he served as a magistrate in the territory at the end of the 18th century. Communities of faith also survived during the persecutions.

In time, missionary stations emerged in places like Gilmawon, Tongbok-ri and Ingwang-ri. Some communities lived to recover land to the sea; others made ceramics. The distance and lack of transport made it difficult to go to the temple every Sunday, but the rural chapels kept faith alive.

Foundation under the protection of the Assumption

As the number of faithful grew, the missionary Joseph Molimard acquired a land in an elevation of Bijeon-ri, near the station and with access to the urban core. There the new parish was organized, separated from Wangnim and Anseong on April 14, 1928.

The current directory of the diocese of Suwon confirms the date, current direction and patronage of Mary raised to heaven. His party is held on August 15.

Sixteen chapels and an extensive mission

In the first years the parish attended sixteen scattered missionary stations. Many faithful could not travel every week, but in the great solemnities there were so many that some had to participate from the courtyard.

Missionary fertility allowed another parish to be erected in Seojeong-ri just a decade later. Pyeongtaek thus became a mother community of numerous subsequent Catholic presences.

Joseph Molimard, first parish priest

Joseph Molimard, priest of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris, was the first parish priest. During the Korean war he briefly took refuge, but returned for fear that the faithful would be punished in their absence. He was arrested and killed in 1950.

His remains were recovered by the faithful of Geumsa.-ri, later transferred to a priestly cemetery in Daejeon and, in April 2003, taken to the Pyeongtaek compound at the request of the community.

A memory investigated with caution

In 2019 the ecclesiastical court conducted an inspection of its tomb and commemorative garden to check the absence of public veneration, a step of canonical research. The gesture shows the difference between graciously keeping a witness's memory and officially declaring his holiness.

For Pyeongtaek, remembering his first shepherd means also remembering the faithful who lived war, displacement and fear. The advocation of the Assumption sustains hope without erasing suffering.

The Temple of 1971

The first church was extended several times, but community growth required a larger building. In May 1971 the works of a brick and concrete temple began. It was concluded and dedicated in December, with the participation of Bishop Victorinus Youn Kong-hi and former priests of the parish.

The previous building was removed in 1973. Educational and community units were added over the following decades and restorations were made to support pastoral life.

Service to children and those suffering

The community served war orphans through an orphanage and a children's house. He later developed a kindergarten, educational spaces and programmes to accompany children and families.

In 1988, the parish provided free medical care for Korean victims of the atomic bomb. These services remember that an authentic Marian devotion cannot be separated from concrete compassion.

A mother parish

New parishes and communities were born from the extensive territory of Pyeongtaek. The reorganisation of missionary stations, the creation of Paengseong and the subsequent separation of Bijeon-dong, Gung-ri and Segyo- dong express the growth of the local Church.

For years it was the central church of the former vicariate of Pyeongtaek. This pastoral function does not amount to a cathedral condition and is presented here with its exact historical denomination.

The Assumption: promise for the whole person

Pius XII defined that the Immaculate Mother of God, completed the course of her earthly life, was raised in body and soul to heavenly glory. Solemnity contemplates a work of God: Mary fully participates in Christ's victory over death.

The Assumption affirms the dignity of the body and the eternal destiny of the whole person. It does not invite us to escape history, but to live it knowing that suffering, violence and death do not have the last word.

The Magnificat and the humble

Pope Francis related the Assumption to the song of the Magnificat. Mary proclaims the greatness of God and recognizes the wonders that He does in the small and humble.

In a community marked by rural chapels, orphans, war and educational service, this dimension has a special resonance. Looking up Mary to heaven leads to bow to those who need help on earth.

Verified location

The diocese officially places the parish in 61 Pyeongtaek 2-ro, Bijeon-dong. GCatholic offers the territorial code 8Q89X3WR+F7the centre is 36.9961875, 127.0906875.

The exact mapping of the building provides 36.9964158, 127.0904033, used on this map. Both references correspond to the same enclosure and are only a few meters from each other.

To visit and pray

Pyeongtaek is an active parish. Anyone who wishes to go must consult the existing diocesan times and respect the liturgy, funerals and ordinary life of the faithful. The tomb of Molimard must be visited with the sobriety of a cause that continues to be subject to the discernment of the Church.

August 15 is the patron's party. Prayer can unite the hope of the resurrection, the memory of the victims of war and the commitment to protect those who are now abandoned.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption of Pyeongtaek

Holy Mary, raised by God to glory, protects the community of Pyeongtaek. It keeps the memory of those who passed on faith between villages and roads, comforts the victims of war and blesses those who care for children and families. Teach us to wait for the resurrection without deviating from human pain and to serve Jesus Christ in every person in need. Amen.

Sources consulted

• Diocese of Suwon: official directory, date, patronage, party and address.
• Encyclopedia Católica de Korea: extensive history, temple, social works and parishes born of Pyeongtaek.
• Catholic Times of Korea: missionary roots, chapels, foundation and service.
• Catholic Times of Korea: current tour of the church and memory of Molimard.
• Catholic Times of Korea: canonical investigation, arrest, death and transfer of Molimard remains.
• GCatholic: Marian title, jurisdiction, Jubilee of Mercy and location.
• Pius XII: dogmatic definition of Assumption.
• Pope Francis: Asunción, Magnificat and service to the humble.

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