Bongsu Church

Bongsu Church
봉수교회
Exterior of the church
Bongsu Church
Coordinates: 39°02′43″N 125°42′23″E / 39.045285°N 125.706361°E / 39.045285; 125.706361
Location	Konguk-dong, Mangyongdae, Pyongyang
Country	North Korea
Denomination	Protestant
Weekly attendance	more than 300
History
Founded	September 1988 (1988-09)
Architecture
Years built	rebuilt in 2008
Construction cost	$4.3 million
Specifications
Capacity	1,200
Number of floors	three
Administration
Division	Korean Christian Federation

Bongsu Church (Korean: 봉수교회) is a Protestant church in the Konguk-dong of the Mangyongdae District of Pyongyang in North Korea.

It is one of just a handful churches in the country and one of only two Protestant churches, the other one being Chilgol Church. Bongsu Church was originally constructed in 1988 and was the first church built in the country during communist rule. The church was relocated to a larger building in around 2008 and now offers seats for 1,200 persons. It is debated whether the attendance consists of genuine Christians in the country or not, but service has been observed by visiting foreigners.

The original Bongsu Church was built in September 1988. At the time, it was the first church built in North Korea after the Korean War, during which all churches in the North were destroyed, and the first one built during communist rule as well. It was opened just ahead of the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students that was held in Pyongyang. The church was built to showcase freedom of religion in North Korea, amid international pressure concerning the issue. The construction cost half a million won (250,000 dollars) and was funded by Christians from overseas. Until the 1990s, there was no Christian cross on top of the church. One was added when visiting foreign Christians pointed out the omission.

The church has since been rebuilt and relocated in 2008, for a price of four billion won (4.3 million dollars), paid entirely by the South Korean Presbyterian Church Association.

In 1992, when Kang Yong-sop who acted as the chairman of the Korean Protestant Federation oversaw the church, Billy Graham paid a visit there to preach. Graham preached at the church again in 1994. Billy's son, Franklin preached in 2000 and 2008. Billy Graham' wife Ruth has also made a public speech at the church. Other visiting preachers include South Korean Han Sang-ryeol, who visited in 2010 without the authorization of the South Korean government.