Introduction to Saemoonan Church
An eyewitness to the 130 year history of Christianity in Korea;
A firmly-rooted tree; A Compassionate Mother;
A spring of fresh water that continues to flow”For the past 130 years,
as Korea’s "mother" church,
Saemoonan Church has cultivated a deeply-rooted faith, passionately promoted mission work, served to foster unity among churches,
and contributed to the historical development of the nation.
In its capacity, the Church has served various roles,
that of a firmly-rooted tree,
a compassionate and considerate mother, a spring of fresh water that continues to flow.
For 130 years, Saemoonan has been an eyewitness to the history of Christianity in Korea and served as its standard.
Saemoonan Church is now for all Koreans and the whole world. As the first church established in Korea, it aims to take the lead in spreading the Gospel throughout the nation and developing Christianity in Korea.
Senior Reverends
The 1st Minister
H. G. Underwood
(1859~1916)
1884 Graduated from New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Was appointed as an overseas missionary by a presbyterian church in the US
1885 Entered Korea as the nation’s first missionary
1886 Established Korea's first orphanage (which developed into Kyungshin School
and Yeonhee College)
1887 Established Saemoonan Church, the first organized church in Korea ( Sep. 27)
The 2nd Reverend
Cha Jaemyeong
(1881~1947)
1911 Served Saemoonan Church as the evangelist (until 1916)
1912 Appointed the elders
1916 Graduated from Pyeongyang Theological Seminary
1920 Was appointed as the 2nd senior reverend Saemoonan Church
1941 Resigned due to Japanese oppression
The 3rd Reverend
Kim Yeongju
(1896~?)
1932 Graduated from the Theology College of Gansai University, Japan
1933 Served Namdaemun Church as the evangelist
1943 Criticized Joseon Christian Association, organized by Japan
1944 Was appointed as the 3rd senior reverend of Saemoonan Church
1950 Was abducted by North Korea during the Korean War
The 4th Reverend
Kang Sinmyeong
(1909~1985)
1938 Graduated from Pyeongyang Theological Seminary / Was ordained as a minister
1949 Served Youngnak Church as a minister
1953 Received Honorary Doctor of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary
1955 Was appointed as the 4th senior reverend of Saemoonan Church
1979 Served Saemoonan Church as Reverend Emeritus
The 5th Reverend
Kim Dongik
(1942~1998)
1970 Graduated from Graduate School of Presbyterian University and
Theological Seminary
1971 Was ordained as a minister at Seoul Presbytery
1976 Received Doctor of Divinity at Divinity School of Vanderbilt University, US
1981 Was appointed as the 5th senior reverend of Saemoonan Church
1998 Passed away while serving as the senior reverend
The 6th Reverend
Lee Sou-Young
(1946~)
1975 Graduated from Graduate School of Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
1984 Received Doctor of Theology at University De Strasbourg, France
Served as professor at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary
1998 Served as a permanent member of International Congress on Calvin Research
2000 Was appointed as the 6th senior reverend of Saemoonan Church
2017 Served Saemoonan Church as etired minister