Father James Maginn, born in the United States in1911, was sent to Korea in 1935 as a missionary of the Missionary Society ofSt. Columban. As the first pastor of Samcheok Parish, he served the poor andstrengthened the faith of the community. When the Korean War broke out, herefused attempts to persuade him to flee, saying, “To the last moment, I mustguard the church and bear witness to God.” After his capture, he enduredtorture and was pressured to renounce his faith, but he remained steadfast. Beforehis execution, he blessed a layman, Kim Su-seong, saying, “John, let us meet inheaven. Do not lose heart.”