The Diocese of Chuncheon represents the Catholic Church in the Gangwon-doregion, and its history begins with the establishment of the Icheon Parish in1884. Father V.M. Deguette, the first pastor, served as the center of missionary work overseeing northeastern Gangwon-do and the Hamgyeong-do region. Later, the Wonsan Parish was established in 1887 and the Ponae Parish in 1896,giving new vitality to Catholic activities in Gangwon-do.

In 1920, a parish was founded in Gomsil, Chuncheon, marking the beginning of a more permanent Catholic presence in the region. Local faithful, including Eom Ju-eon, operated a community chapel and requested the presence of a priest. In 1928, the parish was moved to Yaksari, laying the foundation for today’s Jukrim-dong Cathedral Church. Around the same time, parishes were also established in Yangyang, Jumunjin, and Hongcheon, further spreading the Catholic faith throughout the region.

In 1938, the Holy See separated the Gangwon-doregion from the Apostolic Vicariate of Gyeongseong and established the Apostolic Prefecture of Chuncheon, entrusting its missionary work to the Missionary Society of St. Columban. Father T. Quinlan was appointed as the first Prefect Apostolic and strengthened the mission by establishing new parishes and building churches. The Hongcheon Mulgubi Parish and Gangneung Mukho Parish were founded in 1948, followed by the Soyang-ro and Samcheok parishes in 1949.

After the armistice of 1953, the northern part of Gangwon-do became part of North Korea, leaving the faithful of the Icheon and Ponae parishes behind in what came to be called the “Church of Silence.” That same year, Father Quinlan returned as Prefect Apostolic and completed the construction of the Chuncheon Cathedral, establishing it as the center of the diocese.

With the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in Korea in 1962, the Apostolic Prefecture of Chuncheon was elevated to the Diocese of Chuncheon. In 1965, the Diocese of Wonju was separated from Chuncheon, and administrative adjustments brought the regions of Gapyeong and Pocheon under Chuncheon’s jurisdiction.

In 1972, the diocese strengthened its autonomy by signing an agreement with the Missionary Society of St. Columban concerning the appointment of missionaries. Under the leadership of Bishop Stewart, the diocese published Fifty Years of the Diocese of Chuncheon in1989 to commemorate its 50th anniversary and continued establishing new pastoral districts and parishes.

As of 2025, the Diocese of Chuncheon stands as a central diocese of Gangwon-do, continuing to grow through the devotion and dedication of its faithful and clergy, carrying forward its tradition and missionary spirit.