No-ahn parish (old Gye-ryang parish church), which was established in 1908, is the oldest parish church second to the Sanjung-dong parish (old Mok-po parish) established in 1897, and is a parish with long history enough to celebrate an anniversary mas...
No-ahn parish (old Gye-ryang parish church), which was established in 1908, is the oldest parish church second to the Sanjung-dong parish (old Mok-po parish) established in 1897, and is a parish with long history enough to celebrate an anniversary mass for the 100th in 2008. However, there is a lack of historical data to shed new light on the historical value of No-ahn parish, and even the existing data are actually disappearing due to the inadequate storage. Therefore, the necessity of collecting and organizing data related to No-ahn parish has been brought up consistently in the diocese. A review on the history of No-ahn parish is an examination of the primary images of the archdiocese of Gwang-ju beyond simply revealing the historical facts of a parish itself. Because No-ahn parish is where the archdiocese of Gwang-ju strengthened itself basing on developing into the present condition and it is a local foundation that could make diocese into the present position.
Economic and educational situation of No-ahn was poor because it locates geographically in the suburb of Na-ju and agriculture were considered as a primary industry. Contrary to the this poor situation, the fact that the seeds of the gospel were sown and reared this evangelical local community gives us a meaningful message. Not only that, but how they maintained a religious belief in various historical circumstances over 100 years gives a high historical value.
The historical values of No-ahn parish are as follows. First, it was established and has been maintained since Jo-seon diocese periods till the jurisdiction was transferred to the establishment of Dae-gu archdiocese, and once again belonged into the archdiocese of Gwang-ju, as like No-ahn Parish experienced and encountered changes of the Korean Catholic church. Secondly, the No-ahn parish, which was established in 1908 experienced the First and Second World War and vacancy of a parish priest during the Korean War, and has maintained faith, even when the number of inhabitants decreased due to the farm-abandonment phenomenon in 70~80’s. This fact that the No-ahn parish affrontedmany historical changes would be historically valuable. Thirdly, as they played a significant role in spreading Catholicism in Gwang-ju area, they paved the foundation for the people of Jeollanam-do province, where it once was a barren wilderness of catholicity, to be expanded as today. Fourthly, they are maintaining the existence as an extraordinary catholic village of the archdiocese of Gwang-ju, and they can be established as a model of belief in the diocese. Fifthly, the edifice itself can be considered as a representative of the auditorium-typed Western catholic architecture among churches which were constructed during Japanese colonial era, and has a historical value as the first Catholic church around Gwang-ju in the regional point of view.
This study also investigated the situations of Jeollanam-do and process of establishment until the No-ahn parish was constructed, and investigated difficulties how the priests went through in evangelizing during the Second World War and the Korean War. Also, this study will research efforts how No-ahn parish made to spread the Gospel around the regional community through education projects, and how No-ahn parish is maintaining evangelical community with the village community and living today. And this thesis also tries to get a useful for those whom live today. Specially, in regards to the founding year of the parish, this study will investigate Father Noh Jacob’s argument that the parish was established in 1895, and tries to insist that the No-ahn parish was constructed in 1908 by criticizing his argument providing truth worthy data.
However, in spite of the trial to collect all related materials on No-ahn parish for this research, the collected data was far from sufficient. Therefore, I, personally, hope and pray for being supplemented through studies by church and the academic sphere in the future.