The Archdiocese of Gwangju, which has pastoral jurisdiction over Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do, forms the Ecclesiastical Province of Gwangju together with the Diocese of Jeonju and the Diocese of Jeju. On March10, 1931, it was first established as the Apostolic Prefecture of Jeolla, covering both Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do. It was later separated from Jeollabuk-do and reorganized as the Apostolic Prefecture of Jeonnam on May 10,1934. On April 13, 1937, it was elevated to the Apostolic Vicariate of Gwangju, with pastoral responsibility for Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do, and entrusted to the Missionary Society of St. Columban.

On January 21, 1957, it was elevated to the Apostolic Vicariate of Gwangju, and on March 10, 1962, with the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in Korea, it was raised to the status of the Archdiocese of Gwangju. In June 1971, the Apostolic Vicariate of Jeju was separated. The cathedral parish initially was Sanjeong-dong Parish (1937–1957), then Buk-dong Parish (1957–1983), and since1983, Im-dong Parish has served as the cathedral, with Buk-dong Parish designated as a co-cathedral.

When the Apostolic Vicariate of Gwangju was established in 1937, it had 22 priests(including 19 Columban missionaries), 3,567 Catholics, 9 parishes, and 36mission stations. Today, the Archdiocese has grown to 309 diocesan priests(including 4 archbishops), 2 missionary congregations, 47 male and female religious institutes, 142 parishes, 79 mission stations, and 366,882 Catholics, representing 11.38% of the local population.