Seoul Anglican Cathedral is a Romanesque-style Anglican church founded by Bishop C.J. Corfe in 1922. It is located just west of Deoksugung Palace and Seoul Plaza. Its official name is Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Nicholas.
In 1889, Charles John “C.J.” Corfe, born in 1843, became the first bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea. The church was known then as Joseonjonggoseong Church of Korea.
Construction began on Seoul Anglican Cathedral in 1922 under the direction of Rev. Mark Trollope, the third bishop of Korea. The architect was Arthur Dixon.
Work finished four years later in 1926. Since the first Holy Communion took place here in 1890, the Anglican Church of Korea considers this the year the cathedral began
The style of the building is European Romanesque, with some characteristics of Korean architecture. The original plan was for the cathedral to be cross-shaped. This plan fell through due to financial problems caused by Japan’s occupation of Korea.
Expansion work, as initially planned, began in 1991, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the cathedral. Expansion was to follow the original blueprints created by architect Arthur Dixon.
Unfortunately, the blueprints were misplaced. The discovery of the original blueprints in a museum in England eventually allowed the completion of the work in 1996.
Seoul Anglican Cathedral Information
Admission
Free
Address
15 Sejongdaero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
GPS Coordinates: 37.567059, 126.976059
How to Get Here
Take Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall (Exit 3).
Continue 100 meters and make a right at the second street.
Continue 50 meters up the one lane road to reach the cathedral.
Seoul Anglican Cathedral Video
Map
Official Website
Additional Resources
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Last Updated on Mar 10, 2025