The Significance of Horace Newton Allen from the Perspective of Yonsei University Health System

Abstract

This year is the 130th anniversary of the opening of Gwanghyewon, which became Jejungwon and later Severance Hospital and Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) which Horace Newton Allen established on April 10, 1885. Gwanghyewon (Jejungwon) is the starting point of YUHS. In YUHS’s 130 years of history, we cannot forget their endeavor and dedication of the missionaries, pioneers, and forefathers of Jejungwon and we certainly cannot overlook their lives of faith. Among them, Horace Newton Allen was the first missionary, who was a specially significant figure in YUHS. Allen established it with Emperor Gojong and Northern Presbyterian Church Board of Foreign Missions. He was a holistic medical practitioner who cared illness of body and soul. He was a model of triangular mission, which shaped medical mission, education and evangelism. As a mediator, Allen had passion to expand the kingdom of God in cooperating between Korean government and USA, the state and civil society, and Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries. He was an actor of love who did not discriminated based upon races, nationality, possessions, gender, or social class. Jejungwon showed his Christian faith and life. Today, YUHS inherited the philanthropic tradition of Jejungwon. This dissertation argues that Allen, his medical ministry, and his Korean mission have followed in today’s YUHS in diverse ways. Since he established Jejungwon 130 years ago, his mission works are meaningfully reflected on YUHS.