Marking the 140th anniversary of Protestant missions in Korea, the Korean Christian History and Culture Center opened Aug. 12 in the Eunpyeong District of Seoul, according to Christian Daily Korea.
Built at a cost of about 10 billion won ($7.2 million) from national and city funds, the facility includes a basement permanent exhibition hall, a second-floor special exhibition room, multipurpose hall, reading room, and archives. Its major holdings include a 1906 postcard from missionary Rosetta Hall, an original complete set of The Korea Mission Field journal, a hibiscus embroidery map by Namgung Eok, and a New Testament translated by James S. Gale. Exhibits cover a broad scope of Korean church history, including mission work, democratization movements, and the development of faith and culture.
The permanent exhibition, Moments When Faith Was Beautiful, chronicles Christian social activities from the early missionary era through the early 2000s. A special exhibition titled A Very Ordinary Weekend is a participatory exploration of rest and leisure, while To Joseon, From Korea connects the gospel work of Western missionaries in the Joseon era with Korea’s contemporary overseas missions. The center also plans humanities programs, academic seminars, docent training, and participation in a Christian museum network.
In a sermon at the opening ceremony, foundation chairman Rev. Young Hoon Lee of Yoido Full Gospel Church, speaking on Psalm 78:4 under the title What God Has Done, said he hopes Korean Christians will have a sense of history and seek to discern and fulfill God’s will. “I pray that the Republic of Korea will develop with Christians who have a historical consciousness,” he said.
Center Director Jae Sung Ahn said the facility welcomes visitors of all backgrounds, including non-Christians, and aims to present a history of the Korean church that shows its cooperative work, service, and partnership with society.
Rev. Jong Hyuk Kim, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, noted that while most Christian museums focus on the early mission period, the new center covers history from the 19th century to the present. “One can gain a panoramic view of Christian history, including its contributions to establishing a free democratic state after liberation, and learn about the gospel of God,” he said.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon, noting the 140th anniversary of Korean missions this year, said Christianity contributed to establishing the foundations of medicine and welfare in the nation. “I hope today’s opening will be a monument that conveys Christian history to future generations, and a place for faith education that continues to share Christianity’s role as light and salt to all citizens,” he said.
Eunpyeong District Mayor Kim Mi Kyung said Christianity has contributed to the development of Korea’s modern history beyond its religious role, and expressed hope the center would serve as “a platform connecting the past, present, and future.”
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting attended by dignitaries, followed by the planting of a commemorative tree by foundation board member Rev. Dal Ik Son, senior pastor of Seoul Church, and others.