Enjoy Myeong-dong Cathedrals Gothic architecture and attend an English Mass

Myeong-dong Catheral during December.

     Within a shopping district in the busiest area of downtown Seoul, no one would expect to see a Gothic style church among the bright neon signs of restaurants and billboards. Since 1784 people have been gathering inside Myeong-dong Cathedrals exquisite brick walls, and little did they know that the church would be designated historic spot No. 258 in the 21st century.
    Today the church represents the symbol of the Catholic Church in Korea and is the headquarters for the Archdiocese of Seoul. Every Sunday the church offers two English Masses for foreigners living in or simply visiting Korea. The English Mass takes place on Sundays at 7:00am and 9:00am and there are even English hymn books so that you can sing along.
    Be sure to check out The Crypt which is located beneath the main altar of the church. The underground area is used as a place of worship, and also houses martyrs Bishop Imbert (Second Bishop of the Church in Korea) and Fr. Chastan (member of the Paris Foreign Missionary Society) as well as others remains. There is a Pilgrimage Mass held every weekday at 10:00am in the Crypt if you are interested in seeing a service in the beautiful yet spooky underground room.

The front entrance of the Church.

   For the most spectacular views of the church I strongly recommend going at night time. The lights around the building really bring out the different colors of the bricks. One of the best pictures can be taken at the foot of the hill as one gazes upward towards the church.
     Myeong-Dong is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas Day Mass. I went to the mass last Christmas on Saturday Dec. 25, at 9:00am. The church wasn't as packed as I thought it would be, but you should arrive early if you want to sit towards the front. The priest came from all the way from Ireland, and he definitely threw in a little bit of humor towards the end of the mass! View an article about the funny 2010 Christmas mass at "cat-angel man and Irish priest singing".

A side view of the Myeong-dong Catherals brick walls.

A glimpse inside reveals the church organ and high Gothic style ceilings.

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