Korean church to mark 130th anniversary of the US missionaries

Korean church to mark 130th anniversary of the US missionaries. March. 19, 2015 07:21. dunanworld@donga.com.

Rev. Henry Gerhard Appenzeller (1858-1902), an American Methodist missionary, arrived in Busan on April 2, 1885. Mary Scranton (1832-1909) and her son William (1856-1922) also arrived in Jemulpo (former name of Incheon) one month later.

Their evangelical activities were the first approved by the Joseon Dynasty government. One year earlier, Robert Samuel Maclay, a missionary who was stationed in Japan, received permission from Emperor Gojong only to conduct education and medical services in Korea. Appenzeller established Baejae School, and Mary Scranton launched Ewha School, nurturing Korean human resources. William founded Bogu Yeogwan, the first hospital dedicated exclusively to women in Korea.

Various events will be held to commemorate the 130th anniversary of their missionary activities in Korea. The Korean Methodist Church will hold worship service under the theme “True Church, Good Christians” in Busan on April 2, the day Appenzeller first arrived in the Korean port city. This worship service will be followed by a performance reinstating the situation of the time when he arrived in Jemulpo and the 130th anniversary general worship service on April 5, an international academic symposium on April 6, and the Path of Christian Pilgrimage event centered on the hubs from early history of missionaries in Korea from April 5 to April 10.

During the commemorative worship service on April 5, the Korean Methodist Church will donate costs for cornea transplant surgery to 130 people, and stage a campaign to pledge cornea donation with the volunteering organization “Korea Alliance of Life Sharing.” The church also plans to conduct a project to construct a health center and a tree planting event in North Korea.