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Anglican Church of Korea

The Anglican Church of Korea (Korean: 대한성공회; Hanja: 大韓聖公會), also known as the "Great Han Holy Catholic Church," is a province of the Anglican Communion in both North Korea (de jure) and South Korea (de jure and de facto). Established in 1889, the Church now has over 120 parish and mission churches, with a total membership of approximately 65,000 individuals in South Korea.

Historical Background

The origins of the Anglican Church of Korea can be traced back to November 1, 1889, when Bishop Charles John Corfe was ordained at Westminster Abbey and inaugurated as the first diocesan bishop of Joseon (Korea). Under his leadership, the first Anglican church in Korea, Nae-dong Anglican Church, was established on September 30, 1891, in Nae-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, with the support of Eli Barr Landis (1865–1898).

Development and Expansion

The Anglican Church of Korea initially focused its efforts in the Seoul area, including the Gyeonggi Province and Chungcheong Province. Bishop Corfe and his colleagues introduced various educational institutions, medical facilities, and social work centers across the country, including the Sinmyeong (Faith and Enlightenment) schools, hospitals in the vicinities of Incheon, Yeoju, and Jincheon, as well as orphanages in Suwon and Anjung.

Key Institutions

One of the most significant religious structures of the Anglican Church of Korea is the Seoul Anglican Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin and St Nicholas, located in Downtown Seoul. Another important church is the Ganghwa Anglican Church in Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa, which is part of the Diocese of Seoul.

Modern Challenges and Growth

In 2017, the Routledge publication "Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion: 1980 to the Present" reported 80,100 Anglicans in Korea. The Anglican Church of Korea continues to navigate modern challenges, including discussions about homosexuality within the Anglican Communion, a topic which was notably addressed during the 13th Lambeth Conference.

Related Topics

This intricate tapestry of religious, educational, and social initiatives underpins the Anglican Church of Korea’s significant role in the cultural and spiritual landscape of Korea.