Gongju Seohyeolsa Site is the location of an old temple situated east of the towering Mangwol Mountain in Ungjin-dong. Roof tiles discovered here bear the inscription 'Seohyeolsa,' and typical Baekje lotus-patterned eaves tiles (wadang), along with various tiles from the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods, stone pagoda fragments, and foundation stones, all suggest this temple was built in the Baekje era. The site appears to have been constructed by dividing gently sloping farmland into three terraces reinforced with stone walls. Investigations show the arrangement of buildings for Buddhist practice was placed in a straight line facing south, regardless of the terrain, including a pagoda and main hall. A stone cave temple associated with this site, created by utilizing a natural cave as a monk’s meditation chamber, measures approximately 8m in length, 4.5m in height, and 17m in width. The northern wall has a pedestal believed to have housed a Buddha statue. The three stone Buddha statues found here indicate the site was likely rebuilt during the Unified Silla period. The Seohyeolsa cave suggests the technique of placing Buddha statues inside cave temples was introduced from the southern Chinese dynasties to Baekje. Recognizing its value, the site was designated a Chungcheongnam-do Monument on December 31, 1982.
The Former Missionary House located in Junghak-dong, Gongju was built as a residence for missionaries belonging to the American Methodist Church. From the early 20th century to the present, missionaries in Gongju conducted missionary work here, and it is also a symbolic building where Yeongmyeong School, celebrating its 100th anniversary, began its education. It is a three-story red brick building with a stairwell and skip-floor connected spaces on each floor. The Former Missionary House is designated as a Registered Cultural Property and is included in the Yuguansun Road designated by the Gongju Christian History Committee. Visiting Yeongmyeong School, which the martyr attended, and Gongju Jeil Methodist Church, where the Taegeukgi was printed for the independence movement, provides a good opportunity to follow the footsteps of independence activist Yuguansun.
Nataejoo Alley is located in Banjuk-dong, Gongju-si, Chungnam, and is an emotional alley offering a gift to the heart through poetry and paintings themed on poet Nataejoo. Walking along Jemincheon 1-gil and turning toward the alley going to Gongju Tax Office leads directly to Nataejoo Alley, full of Nataejoo's poems and art. Crossing the wide Jemincheon, there is an alley garden where visitors can feel nature and leisure inside the city. At the end of the alley is the Nataejoo Poet Wildflower Literature Museum, which is also great to visit together. It is a good place for healing by embracing culture and nature in the city for hearts tired of reality.
Jungdong Catholic Church, the first of its kind in the Gongju, was constructed in 1897 in the Western medieval Gothic style. The church features a cruciform layout with a red brick exterior. A tall bell tower crowns the central entrance, while pointed arches adorn the upper parts of the doorways and windows. Inside, the simple decorations and stained glass windows create a serene and graceful ambiance.
Jungdong Catholic Church is the first Catholic church established in the Gongju area, founded in 1897. The first priest was French missionary Gi-nang, and in 1921, Father Choi Jong-cheol, the fifth parish priest, planned the construction of a new church, which took its current form in 1937. Subsequently, the church completed the auditorium 'Angel's House,' a new rectory, and a convent. In 1997, to commemorate its 100th anniversary, the church building underwent extensive renovation, and in 1998, it was designated a cultural monument of Chungcheongnam-do. Jungdong Church is regarded as a Gothic-style building representing the transition from traditional wooden architecture to modern architecture. The main hall's floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and the exterior is finished with red bricks. A tall bell tower stands above the central entrance, which, along with the doorway and windows, is decorated with pointed arches. Nearby are attractions such as Gukgogae Culture Street and Chungnam History Museum, making it a great spot for a day trip.
Jemincheon, a living ecological stream in the city center, originates from Geumhak-dong in Gongju-si and flows into the Geum River at Geumseong-dong, crossing the urban area. Currently, through an ecological stream creation project, it is protected (restored) as an environmentally friendly living ecological stream with walking trails and real tile paving, securing waterfront green spaces and resting areas, making it a comfortable place for Gongju citizens and travelers to visit. Also, as a river flowing through the city, it is developed into a cultural space where history and culture coexist and nature and people harmonize, providing a water-friendly area for residents.
