Korea's First Catholic Priest

김대건, 1821 - 1846

From village boy to pioneer priest: 김대건 (Kim Dae-geon), Korea's first Catholic clergyman.

김대건

김대건 (Kim Dae-geon), born in 1821, was the first Korean-born Catholic priest. His life and martyrdom are documented in various historical texts, including church records and the 『조선왕조실록』 (The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty).

김대건 안드레아 신부 기념 성당

Historical records highlight Kim's journey from a young boy in a Catholic family to his ordination as a priest in China. Despite the severe persecution of Catholics in Joseon Korea, Kim returned to his homeland to minister to the faithful. His activities included smuggling foreign missionaries into Korea and mapping sea routes. Kim's capture in 1846 led to his imprisonment, torture, and eventual execution, making him a significant martyr in Korean Catholic history.

Now, I welcome you to the story of 김대건 - a young man's unwavering faith and dedication, from his first encounter with a foreign priest to his ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs.

Let the story begin...