The First Priest in Joseon

A Church Without a Priest, A Deep Longing

The Catholic Church in Joseon arose as a self-organized community of faith that embraced the Gospel without missionaries. The faithful led the community themselves and preserved their faith, but they came to realize that without a priest they could not celebrate Mass or fully live the Church’s sacramental life. Their longing for a priest grew ever deeper, and efforts began to bring one to Joseon.

After the Sinhae Persecution, New Leaders Emerged

Following the Sinhae Persecution (Jinsan Incident) of 1791, in which Yun Ji-chung (Paul) and Kwon Sang-yeon (James) were executed for refusing to perform ancestral rites, the Church faced a severe crisis. As some members of the yangban class left the Church, the community changed significantly. Leadership gradually shifted toward members of the jungin, a middle-status group in Joseon society, and new leaders—including Choe In-gil (Matthias), Ji Hwang (Sabas), and Choe Chang-hyeon (John)—steadfastly sustained the community despite continued persecution.

Risking Their Lives to Bring a Priest to Joseon

Persecution had temporarily halted efforts to bring a priest to Joseon, but the mission could no longer be delayed. The new leaders once again took the initiative. Envoys of the Joseon Church, including Yun Yu-il (Paul) and Ji Hwang, made repeated journeys to Beijing to explain the Church’s desperate situation and request the dispatch of a missionary. Kang Wansuk (Columba) supported these efforts by providing the financial resources needed for the mission.

Fr. Zhou Wenmo Appointed Missionary to Joseon

At the time, the Diocese of Beijing had only a limited number of missionaries, and sending a Western missionary whose appearance would attract attention into Joseon, where the Church was under persecution, posed considerable risk. Accordingly, Bishop Gouvea of the Diocese of Beijing appointed Zhou Wenmo (James), a devout Chinese priest whose appearance was similar to that of the people of Joseon, as a missionary to Joseon.

Crossing the Amnok River Under Cover of Night

Fr. Zhou left Beijing in February 1794. By the time he reached Bianmen (Border Gate), however, the ice on the Amnok River had already melted, and border surveillance had intensified because of the Sinhae Persecution. He remained in the Liaodong region of Manchuria, carrying out pastoral ministry while waiting for an opportunity.

That December, Yun Yu-il, Choe In-gil, and Ji Hwang arrived in Uiju. Ji Hwang crossed the border alone through Bianmen to meet Fr. Zhou. On the night of 24 December 1794, the two men crossed the frozen Amnok River and entered Joseon through Uiju. Fr. Zhou reached Hanseong around 4 January 1795. After more than ten years without a priest, the Church in Joseon finally welcomed its first priest.

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At the End of a Long Wait

On the night of December 24, 1794, Father Zhou Wenmo, guided by Ji Hwang, crossed the frozen Amnok River into Joseon wearing Joseon-style clothing. Yun Yu-il and Choe In-gil were waiting for him in Uiju. At last, the Church in Joseon welcomed the priest it had long awaited.