The church was founded by Father Victor Louis Poisnel, a French missionary who also contributed to the construction of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.
The building was constructed using granite from the local area and timber salvaged from the dismantled Gunsan port customs house.
It is the oldest church building in the Jeolla-do province.
The floor of the church is lined with ondol (traditional Korean underfloor heating) materials, a rare adaptation for a Western-style building.
The roof design utilizes a traditional Korean tile system (giwa) while incorporating Western-style interior trusses.
In 1996, the church was partially restored to repair structural damage caused by aging wood and roof tiles.
The original church served as a critical hub for the propagation of Catholicism across the Jeolla-do and Chungcheong-do provinces.
Nabawi Catholic Church, established in 1897, holds the title of the first Catholic church in the Jeolla region of South Korea. The current structure, completed in 1906, represents a unique hybrid architectural style that blends traditional Korean wooden hanok construction with Western Gothic elements. It was designated as Historic Site No. 318 by the South Korean government due to its significance in the early history of Korean Catholicism. The site includes a distinctive outdoor Stations of the Cross path that winds up a small hill behind the church building. The interior layout features a traditional separation of men and women, reflecting the social customs of the Joseon Dynasty era in which it was built. A museum on-site houses artifacts related to the early missionaries and the establishment of the parish. The church is situated on a hillside overlooking rural landscapes, providing a stark contrast between its historical significance and its quiet, agricultural surroundings.
The front facade of the church from the bottom of the entrance steps, capturing the blend of Korean and Western architecture.
Walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross trail behind the church for views of the surrounding Iksan countryside.
Check the museum's rotating exhibits on local missionary history before entering the main sanctuary.
Maintain a respectful volume, as the area remains an active place of worship.
Do not take photographs inside the sanctuary during ongoing prayer services or masses.
The site is occasionally closed to the public during private religious retreats; check the official website for calendar updates.
Maintain silence, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove hats upon entering the sanctuary.
