한국 대학교회의 태동과 변천 ― 연세대학교를 중심으로

Abstract

Although many articles have been published on chapel programs and lectures for campus Christian ministry in Korea, research on university churches, an important part of campus ministry, is relatively rare. In this article, the founding and transition of Yonsei University Church, which has the longest history among university churches in Korea, will be examined. Christian missionary activity in Korea was prohibited in the early days of Chai Chung Won - the first modern medical college with a hospital,founded in 1885 and renamed Severance Medical College in 1904. The transfer of the ownership of the institution in 1894 from the King of Chosun (Korea) to the Presbyterian Church of the United States became the first step in missionary work; worship service was initiated for fellows,staff and patients. The congregation can be regarded as the origin of Yonsei University Church. The church was also used as the venue for the general assembly of the Korean Presbyterian Church. Meanwhile, Yonhee College Church was founded in 1933. The church,located outside the walled city of Seoul, not only served the people dwelling in and near the college site but also fulfilled the need of an ecumenical church in the campus. This spirit of cooperation expanded to the setting up of a church managed by two colleges−Yonhee and Ewha−in 1935. Although this Hyop-seong Church, or the Union Church, was shut down by oppression of the Japanese colonial government, it was reopened by the two colleges after independence. The consolidation of Severance Medical College and Yonhee College into Yonsei University in 1957 was followed by the establishment of Yonsei University Church in 1962. The construction of University Chapel,or Luce Chapel, in 1975 provided the momentum to develop a renovated mission policy of Yonsei University Church, such as ‘community church,’‘bridge church,’ and ‘open church’. Enculturation and globalization of church programs were added recently. In accordance with the opening of the new university sites of Yonsei,new university churches were built in new campuses. These churches, following the ‘main’ Yonsei University Church as a model, have been developing their own programs. For example, Wonju Medical College Church, opened in 1981, organized an overseas medical service team; since 1984 Maeji Campus Church has been focusing on students’ dormitory ministry; Samae Campus Church, founded in 2006, has been trying to develop their own church program following the donor’s ‘Samae (three loves)’ spirit.