Yangnim-dong Missionary Cemetery (양림동 선교사 묘지)

Introduction

The Yangnim-dong Missionary Cemetery is the final resting place of 23 missionaries who brought Christianity to Gwangju and led the movement to free the nation from under Japanese colonial rule. Yangnim-dong in Gwangju Metropolitan City was the main area in which Priest Bae Yu-ji and Dr. Clement Owen carried out their work as the first missionaries to Jeollanam-do.

As part of his outreach, Priest Bae Yu-ji established the Jennie Speer Memorial School for Girls. Dr. Owen dedicated himself to serving the church and providing medical care along with his wife, who was a nurse.

Located nearby is a monument dedicated to Priest Bae Yu-ji and the Owen Memorial Building, built in honor of Dr. Owen and his grandfather. Both memorials are cultural assets and particularly prized by locals of the Christian faith.