Chinese Church of Christ in Korea records, 1908 -- 1975

Creator:

Abstract:

The Chinese Church of Christ in Korea was founded in 1912 by American missionary C. S. Deming, with Cheh Tao-hsin as one of the first elders of the church in Seoul and Li Kwohfeng as one of his first pastors, to address the increasing population of the Chinese in Korea. The collection contains reports, letters, research on Christian Education Mission Schools, facts sheets on human rights violations, and other materials.

Extent:

0.25 linear feet 0.25 linear feet;1 box

Language:

English , Chinese .

Scope and content:

The collection contains historical information on the formation of the Chinese Church in Korea from its creation in 1912. Fact sheets, pamphlets, and indices of school names and other demographic data place the Chinese Church of Christ in the larger context of Protestant missionary work in Korea. News articles, programs, informational pamphlets, statistics and graphs contain evidence related to the founding and operation of the Church and missionary-run schools along with more general resources on Korean missionary efforts, school demographics, and resources for newcomers to Korea. Documents related to the foundation of the Church include the Constitution and minutes of the first meeting. Articles and reports, most of which are commissioned by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, and research from the committee of Christian Education Mission Schools chronicle the establishment and administration of church centers and schools. Correspondence excerpts include narrative history of the Church founding and operation and indices listing key members of the Church and missionary school community. A listing of Mission Stations in Korea dated 1915 includes Japanese spelling equivalents. More than thirty fact sheets on the socio-political condition of South Korea, specifically violation of human rights, are also found in this collection. The work of the Chinese Church of Christ in Korea proceeded against a backdrop of larger historical context, including references to riots and unrest that interrupted missionary work in 1931, and later with the advent of World War II [see folder 1].

Biographical / historical:

Conducting its first service at the Korean YMCA in May 1912, the Chinese Church of Christ was formed to meet the needs of the increasing population of the Chinese Christians living in Korea, which had reached about 18,000 by 1911. An American missionary born in China, C.S. Deming organized meetings for the creation of the Chinese church and was aided by Chinese Christians such as Cheh Tao-hsin and Li Kwohfeng. With its first church established in Seoul, the Chinese church added additional congregations in other areas such as Chemulpo, Pyengyang, Wonsan, Fusan, and Seishin.

Beginning with just a dozen people at its inception, in 1913 the Chinese church had an average Sunday attendance of about 40, with 22 boys and girls enrolled in the day school. The numbers increased steadily on an annual basis; by 1916 the average Sunday attendance was 60, with 43 enrolled in the day school. In the fall of 1929, Deming was succeeded by M.J. Quinn, a retired missionary from China. The Foreign Mission Boards of both the Presbyterian Council and Methodist Council worked together as a union mission to further the continuation of the Chinese Church of Christ in Korea.

Acquisition information:: Formerly part of the independent Missionary Research Library (MRL), these records were accessioned by the Burke Library at the time of the MRL's closure in 1976.
Processing information:: Metal clips and staples were removed from materials and folded items were flattened. Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. The finding aid was created by Aram Bae in 2007, updated by Elizabeth Willse in 2014 as part of the Henry Luce Foundation grant, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2020.
Arrangement:: The collection is arranged in one series, roughly by format.
Rules or conventions:: appm
Other information:: Missionary Research Library Archives: MRL8, Korea

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:: Item description, MRL8: Chinese Church of Christ in Korea records, 1908-1975, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:: Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary

Burke Home Page
Before you visit:: Researchers must book an appointment at least 5 business days in advance to view special collections material in the reading room. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to one item per hour of appointment time.

Contact:: burke@library.columbia.edu

Collection