The Influence of Korean Presbyterian Church Architecture on Worship and Faith Formation

Abstract

According to statistics, there are more than 35,000 Presbyterian churches in Korea. Due to this high number, people can surmise that there are various types of church architecture. However, surprisingly, it is easy to find commonalities. The majority of the churches were built for practical purposes and are more like educational spaces or performance venues than religious venues. The Korean Presbyterian Church architecture emphasizes both the practical aspect and public aspect rather than the aesthetic and theological aspect. The worship space filled with pews in the shape of a rectangle has an impact on this style of worship which centers around sitting, listening and appreciating rather than diversifying worship ceremonies. These influences led to the false notion that worship was successfully achieved by listening to a sermon similar to lectures in an educational institution. Under these circumstances, members were unable to experience holistic faith formation through various worship ceremonies, and experienced a worship pattern of listening, taking notes, and studying every week. This repeated passivity was engraved in the body and mind of the saints, leading to the failure of the church to actively participate in its role in society. In this article, I will insist that the spatial arrangement and the creation of the worship environment from an aesthetic point of view can enrich worship and eventually add integrity to the Christian faith formation.