서상륜 徐相崙
Founder of Sorae Church, the first Protestant church founded by Koreans; early Presbyterian helper who worked on Bible translation and evangelism
| Life | 1848 ~ 1926 |
| Era | 개항기·일제강점기 |
| Clan | 대구 서씨 |
Life & career
Seo Sang-ryun (1848-1926) was a Christian of the late Joseon and colonial period from the Daegu Seo clan. Born in Uiju, Pyeongan, as a son of Seo Seok-sun, his younger brother was the pastor Seo Gyeong-jo. He lost his parents early and worked in trade, including red ginseng, in Uiju and Manchuria; after falling ill at Niuzhuang in 1878 he received treatment arranged by the Scottish missionary John McIntyre and became interested in Christianity.
In 1882 he took part for about five months in Rev. John Ross's Korean Bible translation in Mukden and was baptized on 28 May. He then distributed Bibles and evangelized, and, evading crackdowns, moved to Sorae in Janyeon, Hwanghae, where he founded Sorae Church in 1883. From 1884 he led regular Sunday worship, and with his brother Seo Gyeong-jo the church is counted as the first Protestant church founded by Koreans. In 1887 Horace Underwood visited Sorae and baptized Seo Sang-ryun, Seo Gyeong-jo and others; the same year he took part in founding Saemunan Church.
In 1907 he is said to have gone to Seoul at King Gojong's special instruction and spread a royal edict urging the volunteer armies to disband, a point on which assessments may differ. With a wife who bore only a daughter, Seo Yun-ae, he adopted his brother's son Seo Byeong-ho. In 1938 a monument honoring his Bible translation and mission was erected at his grave.
Bible Translation and Baptism
In 1882 he joined John Ross's Korean Bible translation in Mukden and was baptized, and also took part in publishing the New Testament in 1887.
Sorae Church
Evading restrictions he settled in Sorae, Janyeon, and founded Sorae Church in 1883; with his brother Seo Gyeong-jo it is counted as the first Protestant church founded by Koreans.
Grave
A monument was erected at his grave in 1938; the location of the grave was not confirmed here.
Descendants
He adopted Seo Byeong-ho (independence activist) as his son.