CheonjinamShrine is the birthplace of the self-originated Korean CatholicChurch, a phenomenon unparalleled in world Churchhistory. It is also the resting place of the founders ofthe Korean Church.

AtJueosa Hermitage in Cheonjinam, scholar KwonCheol-sin led an academic study group (강학회)with fellow Confucian scholars. When Yi Byeok laterjoined the gatherings, he shared the truths he discovered in WesternLearning—Catholic books brought from China—about the origin of all creation.

Fromthis intellectual and spiritual encounter, the first seeds of KoreanCatholicism sprouted. These scholars became the earliest believers to proclaimthe Catholic faith in Korea, forming the first Christian community andeventually giving their lives as martyrs. Their tombs are preserved todaywithin the Cheonjinam grounds.