Introduction
By the late Joseon dynasty, Ganghwado Island had already been attacked many times by foreign invaders. During the Byeonginyangyo (the French invasion in 1866), the French fleet stayed in Ganghwado for about a month until they withdrew their forces after losing during the Jeongjoksanseong Battle. During the Sinmiyangyo (the United States expedition to Korea in 1981), the American fleet attacked Chojijin Fortress, Deokjinjin Fortress and Gwangseongbo Fortress. Hence,
Ganghwado played a big part in South Korea opening its doors to the West in the 19th century. Ganghwado also became the Western Christian missionaries' center of activity for their missionary works.
There are three remaining churches that were built in that time that were influenced or built by the Western Christian Missionaries: Ganghwa Anglican Church established in 1900, Ganghwa St. Andrew's Church established in 1906, and Ganghwa Seodo Central Church established in 1923.
Ganghwa Seodo Central Church started contruction in February 1923 and was completed as a Korean-architecture chapel in July 1923. The original name was Jumun Church and it was renamed as Seodo Central (Jungang) Church in 1978. The church belongs to The Korean Methodist Church.
Even though the building of the church doesn't reflect outstanding building techniques and aesthetic qualities, a Western church with a Korean-style wooden structure such as Ganghwa Seodo Central Church is still worth a visit.
Address:
256-1, Jumundo-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon[Google Map]
Homepage:
www.ganghwa.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
www.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Transportation
[Subway + Bus]
From Seoul
to Ganghwa
1) Sincheon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 4
Go straight for
260m to arrive at the bus stop in front of Artreon.
From the bus stop, take Bus 3000 to Ganghwa Bus Terminal.
(approx. 2hr 30min)
2) Yeongdeungpo Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).
Across the street from Shinsegae Department Store, take Bus 88 to Ganghwa Bus
Terminal.
(approx. 2hr 30 min)
From Ganghwa Bus Terminal
From Ganghwa Bus
Terminal, take Bus 30, 31 or 37 to Oepori Bus Stop.
(approx. 1 hr / 30-44 bus stops)
Take a ferry from Oepori Port to Jumundo Island.
Call the Korea
Travel Hotline for assistance with directions.
Additional Info
tel: +82-32-760-6474
zipcode: 23008
infocenter: • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-32-760-6474
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