7,000 Missionary Records Unearthed: Seoul Archive Unlocks a Forgotten Century of Korean Christianity
Seoul's Yanghwajin Archives launches a digital archive of over 7,000 missionary records spanning from the late 19th century to the modern era.
Seoul Archives Digitize Over 7,000 Missionary Records Spanning More Than a Century of Korean Christianity
The Yanghwajin Archives in Seoul, South Korea, has officially launched a digital archive containing more than 7,000 historical records that document the role of Christianity and foreign missionaries in the nation. The archive went live on March 22, 2026.
Operated by the Korean Church of the 100th Anniversary, the Yanghwajin Archives was established to preserve and study the legacy of early foreign missionaries and the history of Christianity in Korea. The newly digitized collection spans from the late 19th century to the modern era and includes artifacts, letters, photographs, denominational reports, diaries, and handwritten manuscripts.
Among the most notable holdings is the Hall family collection, which highlights the development of modern medical missions in Korea. This collection documents education initiatives for women and people with disabilities, as well as efforts to combat tuberculosis. Rosetta Sherwood Hall, one of the missionaries represented, played a foundational role in modern medicine and women's medical education in the country.
The Welbon family collection documents inland missionary work centered in the Andong region and offers insight into the transformation of rural communities through the Gospel. Arthur Garner Welbon and his family served in areas far from the urban centers of Korea.
A third significant collection comes from Jeon Taek bu, who donated personal records in December 2012. His materials focus on the preservation movement of the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery and broader civil society engagement in South Korea.
The institution plans to collaborate with domestic and international organizations and experts to further highlight the historical and academic value of its collections.
The digital archive is now accessible at yanghwajinarchives.org, marking a significant step in expanding public engagement with materials that were previously limited to in person access.
Over 7,000 Korean Missionary Records Now Available Online Through Yanghwajin Digital Archive
The Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery, which overlooks the Han River in the Mapo District of Seoul, was first opened in 1890. It contains at least 376 graves, approximately 118 of which belong to foreign missionaries and their family members. The cemetery is the final resting place of notable figures including Dr. Horace Allen, the first director of Gwanghyewon, Korea's first western style hospital founded in 1885.
The late Rev. Han Kyung chik, who served as chair of the Korean Church Centennial Foundation, was instrumental in establishing the vision for the archives. The recent digitization effort reflects years of work to systematically manage and preserve these irreplaceable documents for future generations.
The Crusader's Opinion
This is what it looks like when the Church preserves its own history instead of letting the world bury it. Over 7,000 records documenting the sacrifices of missionaries who left everything behind to bring the Gospel to Korea, now available for all to see. These men and women didn't go to Korea for fame or fortune. They went because Christ commanded it. They built hospitals, schools, and churches in a land that had never known the name of Jesus. Many of them died there and are buried in that very cemetery overlooking the Han River. The world won't celebrate them, but the Church must never forget them. Every denomination should be taking notes from Seoul right now.
Take Action
- Visit the Yanghwajin Archives digital collection at yanghwajinarchives.org and explore the missionary records yourself.
- Share these archives with your church's history committee or mission board to educate members about the sacrifices of early Korean missionaries.
- Support the preservation of Christian missionary history by donating to organizations like The Shepherd's Shield.
- Pray for the ongoing work of missionaries in South Korea and across Asia who continue the legacy of those buried at Yanghwajin.
- Contact your church leadership about partnering with archives and historical preservation efforts that document the spread of Christianity worldwide.
