Exploring Haduk Catholic Church in Dangjin
As we reach mid-July, summer is deepening, bringing along the heat.
The temperature is rising, and with the rain, we are witnessing the monsoon season.
If you travel to Dangjin, you'll discover that it is a great place for pilgrimage.
There are many churches in Dangjin, and today I would like to introduce Haduk Catholic Church, located behind the Haduk Reservoir in Haduk-eup.
This church beautifully embodies summer, adorned with blooming flowers that harmonize with the lush greenery.
Recently, I visited on a rainy day and returned when the rain had let up.
Dangjin has many pilgrimage sites, including Solmoe Shrine.
Among these, Haduk Church is a historic church included in the 'Bugnae Pilgrimage Route.'
After parking my car in the church parking lot, I walked up the path to the church, where flowers bloomed abundantly, creating a beautiful summer atmosphere.
I saw Rudbeckia blooming in various colors and even some hibiscus flowers.
Inside the church, I was greeted by numerous zinnias, and the sight of butterflies resting on them was delightful.
Lilies were also in bloom, adding to the fragrant summer ambiance.
To the left of the stairs is a statue of the Virgin Mary, and above it, a statue of Jesus with arms outstretched to the world.
Upon ascending the stairs, I arrived at the church, which is designated as a cultural property of Chungcheongnam-do.
This location is frequented by Catholics but is also well-known among tourists and photographers.
Currently, there is construction work underway for ceiling repairs.
Although access to the inside of the church is restricted, visitors can still explore the exterior.
I hope the construction finishes soon so that parishioners can return to celebrating Mass in their church.
As I continued up, I noticed a sculpture depicting a harmonious family on the right, accompanied by a prayer for families that warmed my heart.
This shows that, regardless of religion, family is paramount to everyone.
Haduk Church has a rich history, starting as Yangchon Church established in 1890 in Godeok-myeon, Yesan-gun, and was renamed Haduk Church upon its relocation in 1899.
The current church building was constructed in 1929, showcasing a rare architectural style in Korea, complete with twin bell towers.
In 1961, the new Haduk Church was built, and the old one was referred to as the old Haduk Church until it regained its name in 1997.
The Naepo region was a center for Catholicism in Chungnam, enduring much persecution and producing numerous martyrs.
Fathers Kim Dae-geon and Choi Yang-eop also embraced Catholicism here at Haduk Church.
In 2017, a bell tower with 12 bells was installed in the churchyard, ringing daily at 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM before Mass.
The sound of the bells ringing from the hilltop church resonates across the surrounding plains, instilling a sense of reverence.
To the left, the Stations of the Cross are laid out, and the sight of yellow flowers blooming under the pine trees is beautiful.
Behind the church is a statue of Father Baek Moon-pil, the Good Shepherd, along with a statue of Mary holding a baby.
There is also a statue of Father Kim Dae-geon, and behind the church, memorials commemorate Father Baek Moon-pil, who was martyred during the Korean War, along with others.
The priest who designed this church, Father Perrin, was kidnapped during the Korean War, and his grave on the church grounds contains only relics, not his remains.
There is a building that used to serve as the seminary, now functioning as the Haduk Church History Museum, although it is currently not open to the public.
Haduk Church is surrounded by many old trees that create a lush green world, providing a respite from the summer heat.
To the left of the history museum stands a large ginkgo tree, designated as a protected tree by Dangjin City, estimated to be 200 years old, with a height of 22 meters and a circumference exceeding 1 meter.
In front of the church and to the left, there are zelkova trees providing shade, making it a cool resting spot in summer.
There is a pavilion behind the church where visitors can escape the heat, and another pavilion is located to the left of the gift shop.
On my rainy visit, after exploring Haduk Church, I went to the nearby Haduk Reservoir.
Although it was drizzling, the raindrops on the scenery were quite beautiful.
As summer progresses, a visit to Haduk Church, Haduk Rural Theme Park, and Haduk Reservoir is highly recommended.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224352997934
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