Together Embracing the Cheongju Martyrdom Site: Seowoon-dong Parish of the Cheongju Diocese and Cheongju First Presbyterian Church. This article appeared in Catholic Peace Weekly as an example of Ecumenical Cooperation.
Churches observe Ecumenical Week annually from January 18 to 25, the feast of the conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle. During this period, Christians from various denominations pray together for 'full unity' according to Christ's will, 'that they may all be one' (John 17:21). In celebration of Ecumenical Week, the Weekly introduced the relationship between Seowoon-dong Parish of the Cheongju Diocese and Cheongju First Presbyterian Church. These two pastors have worked together on a site honoring martyrs from the Byeongin Persecution period. The place where Blessed Oh Ban-ji, Kim Jun-gi, and others were martyred... Creating a 'Martyrs' Garden' through inter-denominational cooperation.
The area was a government office where troops were stationed during the Joseon Dynasty. The Cheongju garrison led to the arrest of believers not only in Cheongju but also across Chungcheong Province following the 1866 Byeongin Persecution.
The roots of First Church trace back to 1904, when missionary Min Noah from the United States established Cheongju Eup Church. To honor the historical significance of the place as 'holy ground' where Catholic believers had been martyred, Pastor Min moved the church to this location in 1905. The founder's intention continues to be carried on by the Church today.
“The will of Missionary Min is still engraved in the hearts of the congregation,” adding, “Jeil Church is a church that has grown and flourished with the blood of Catholic martyrs as its seed.” The desire of Seowon-dong Parish and Jeil Church to remember the faith of martyrs, regardless of denomination, resulted in the joint creation of the Martyrs' Garden.
The impetus came from the Seowon-dong Parish which began in early 2021. Until that project, only a marker indicating the martyr site was placed on the garden site. At that time the parish priest, asked Jeil Church for cooperation to transform the site into a proper sacred place, and the church’s decision-making body, unanimously approved it. Jeil Church provided the area closest to the actual presumed martyr site as the Martyrs' Garden, and the parish covered the costs of its creation. Additionally, the parish also covered the costs of establishing the 'Min Garden' to honor the historical significance of Jeil Church in the Cheongju area.
Jeil Church still bears bullet marks from the Korean War and has contributed to the local community through education, social welfare, and the democratization movement. Representatives from the parish and Jeil Church attended the blessing ceremony held on August 26, 2021. Since the creation of the Martyrs' Garden, over 7,000 Catholic pilgrims have visited each year, and Jeil Church members have never once raised a complaint. Min's intentions are still engraved in the hearts of the congregation.
After the martyr’s park was created, a scroll inscribed with ‘Goban (苦伴)’ gifted by a parishioner from Seowoon-dong Parish was hung in Pastor Lee’s office. The pastor explained, “‘Goban’ means becoming friends through suffering,” and said, “We consider it a symbol of unity between the two churches, signifying that we are already brothers and sisters in the face of the suffering and cross of Jesus Christ, and we cherish and keep it with care.” On the path of Christian unity, the pastor emphasized, “We must not forget that we are to be united in Christ beyond doctrinal differences,” and expressed his hope, “I hope that more opportunities for interfaith harmony and Christian unity will emerge.” The pastor stated, “We are all beings made in God’s image,” adding, “Doctrines can divide us, but in practical areas such as peace, justice, and the preservation of creation, we can combine our efforts and act together, achieving unity in anything we do”.
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