Yongsomak Catholic Church (용소막성당)

Introduction

Yongsomak Catholic Church is a small church located in Sillim-myeon, Wonju and designated as a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Gangwon-do. It was the third Catholic church established in Gangwon-do after Pungsuwon Catholic Church and Wonju Catholic Church. It was constructed by Father Chizallet in 1915 and, today, it is over 90 years of age.

Zelkova trees line up around the church building and the statue of the Virgin Mary stands at the bottom of a hill to the left. A thickly wooded pine forest is seen over the statue and the Relic Museum of St. Lawrence, which is an auxiliary building of the cathedral, is seated by the forest. The look of an old countryside Catholic church built with red bricks is like a scene from a painting, exuding a solemn and grave atmosphere in this religious area.