In1883, Father Rovert visited Sochon (present-day Somun-ri, Munsan-eup, Jinju)and established a mission station. As the number of believers in the Sochoncommunity increased, the Sochon Parish was founded in September 1905. With thecontinued growth of the Catholic community, construction of a new church beganin 1935, and in May 1937 the new church, rectory, and convent were completed;the original hanok-style church was then used as a kindergarten hall.

Thecoexistence of the hanok-style church and the Gothic-style church in Munsanrepresents a remarkable harmony between Eastern and Western architecturaltraditions. This combination illustrates the indigenization of Catholic churcharchitecture in Korea, and for this reason, the site was designated asRegistered Cultural Heritage No. 35 in May 2002.