Henry Gerhard Appenzeller

Rev. Henry Gerhard Appenzeller (February 6, 1858 – June 11, 1902) was a Methodist missionary. He and four other missionaries, including Horace N. Allen, Horace G. Underwood, William B. Scranton, and Marion F. Scranton introduced Protestant Christianity to Korea from 1885 to 1902. His mission trip to Korea was motivated by three reasons, including: to transform Koreans to Methodism, convert Korean society with Christian teachings, and to establish democracy, modernization and independence in Korea. He was known by his three contributions to Korean, the Paichai College Hall, the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Seoul, and the translated New Testament

Henry Gerhard Appenzeller was born in Souderton, Pennsylvania, in 1858. His mother was Swiss Mennonite, while his father was from Pennsylvania. His parents went to the German Reformed Church. His mother played an important role in his life. She influenced the faith of Henry and his two brothers by reading the German bible on Sunday afternoons with them. His mother spoke German but little English, therefore, German was his first language. Henry was transformed due to a personal spiritual experience on October 6, 1876. He celebrated this day as his spiritual birthday every year. He studied at Franklin and Marshall College, a school that is based on the Reformed Church.

He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lancaster at the age of twenty- one, three years after his conversion. Then he served in the church as a Methodist preacher. After that, he attended Drew Theological Seminary, a theological school. During his studies at Drew Theological Seminary, he joined the overseas missionary service. Before Appenzeller sailed to Korea, he married Ella Dodge. They had three children together. Their daughter Alice Rebecca Appenzeller was the first American born in Korea.

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