SPOTLIGHT 25/01/12 Korean Catholics unite to restore fire-gutted Church

[성기화 요셉]

A makeshift chapel has been set up for worship as the repair work of Saint John the Baptist Church continues

A view of the damaged Church organ and choir pews of St. John the Baptist Church, Seoul, South Korea, following a fire incident on Jan. 12. (Photo: Catholic Times)

By UCA News reporter

Published: January 31, 2025 11:31 AM GMT

Updated: January 31, 2025 07:11 PM GMT

Catholics in a parish under the Archdiocese of Seoul in South Korea have joined hands to restore a Church that was gutted in a devastating fire earlier this month.

“There seems to be a unifying force in the community in times of need,” said fire-gutted Saint John the Baptist Church’s parish priest Kwangwon Park.

Park said Catholics joined hands to set up a makeshift chapel in the parish cafeteria as the fundraising and restoration work for the damaged church building continued.

A fire engulfed the church building after 6:00 am Mass on Jan. 12, leaving various sections of the building burned and badly damaged. The section for the Church’s musical instruments including the organ and choir pews were nearly destroyed.

Park claimed that he had attempted to suppress the fire using a fire extinguisher but had to retreat after feeling dizzy due to the fumes.

“Although it has not yet been confirmed, it is believed that the fire was caused by an old electric heater in the confessional,” Park said.

Upon visiting the damaged church some regular Mass-goers broke down in tears in front of the statue of Blessed Virgin Mary, the priest recalled.

An unnamed Catholic said that the makeshift chapel has limited space, making standing, sitting and kneeling difficult for many, but it has helped the community to “get closer.”

“The cramped conditions have created a wonderful sense of fellowship, with people sitting closer together, bowing more… and smiling at each other,” the Catholic said.

Park pointed out that the parish council has set up a building committee and is in the process of hiring a contractor to “clean up and restore the church within this year.”

The nursery area, confessional, The Stations of the Cross, and some hanji artwork located on the windows of the church were destroyed in the fire. However, there were no injuries or loss of life from the incident.

Hanji refers to traditional handmade paper from Korea. It is made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry, a tree native to Korea that grows well on its rocky mountainsides and is used to create various forms of artwork.

Park stated that he is collecting donations at the district level to rebuild the church while adding that the support received has been a “source of great comfort and encouragement to the community, regardless of the amount.”

As part of the restoration process, a safety assessment will be conducted after removing the damaged ceiling and walls, the parish officials said.

* This report is a translated and edited version of an article originally published by the Catholic Times of Korea on Jan. 23, 2025.