Catholic Mokpo Shrine

In 1987, the Catholic Mokpo Holy Site, where the first parish of the Gwangju Archdiocese was established, built a church with 700 seats in the main hall and 200 seats in the small chapel in 2020 to commemorate the martyrs and the first introduction of the Legion of Mary. Sanjeong-dong Church is the first quasi-basilica in Korea. A quasi-basilica is a place recognized for its historical, artistic, and religious significance, granted special privileges by the Pope. This site holds three treasures: the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the relics of her parents, and a fragment of the True Cross. Descending the circular passage of the Memorial Tower leads to the Catholic History Museum. The Catholic Mokpo Holy Site History Museum was formerly used as the old archdiocesan office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju, later by the Columban Sisters, the Sacred Heart Nursing College, and the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres. In 2017, it was renovated into a history museum and opened as an exhibition hall showcasing the history of the Archdiocese of Gwangju and the history of the Legion of Mary in Korea at a glance. Address: 35 Nosong-gil, Mokpo-si, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City (Sanjeong-dong)