Korea Almanac
HomePlaces Museums & galleriesOwen Memorial Hall
Owen Memorial Hall

Owen Memorial Hall

오웬기념각 · Jeonnam · Museums & galleries

The Owen Monument and Memorial Hall is located inside the Christian College of Nursing. The monument was erected in 1914 in memory of missionary Clement Owen who, together with Priest Bae Yoo-ji, was the first missionary to come to Jeollanam-do. The monument was built using the 4,200 dollars collected by Owen’s relatives in the USA after Owen died as a martyr in Gwangju.Clement Owen came to Yangnim-dong, Gwangju in the 1900s and served as a missionary and medical volunteer with his wife, who was a nurse, before dying of exhaustion and overwork in 1909. Owen had hoped to build a memorial hospital in honor of his grandfather, but died before his plan was materialized. The plaque hanging in the hall honors both men in English and Chinese, reading, “In Memory of William L. and Clement C. Owen.”A Western-style building with a total footage of around 1,435 meters squared (including the annex building), the monument is said to have been used as chapel and assembly room. Today, the building serves as the auditorium of the Christian College of Nursing. The white, two-story building features a lectern in one corner, with two columns of pews facing the lectern. The second floor balcony stretches along the two walls opposite the lectern.◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm – movie “Love, Lies,”In the film, So-yul and Yeon-hee come here to see the renowned singer Lee Nan-young perform. Owen Memorial Hall has a history as a venue for Christian gatherings, lectures, concerts, graduation ceremonies, and various cultural events in the region. Today, it continues to serve as a space for both religious and cultural gatherings.

TypeMuseums & galleries
RegionJeonnam
Address6 Baekseo-ro 70beon-gil, Nam-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City

Getting there

From Korea Tourism Organization open data. Opening hours and admission can change — check the official page before you go.

On nearby while you're here

Events run on fixed dates — check these against your own trip. Trip Planner shows everything on for the days you are in Korea.

Within walking distance

10y Ground (10년후그라운드)
right next door

10y Ground

Gwangju Sajik Park (사직공원 (광주))
500 m walk

Gwangju Sajik Park (사직공원 (광주))

Sajik Forest of Light (사직 빛의 숲)
500 m walk

Sajik Forest of Light

National Asian Culture Center (국립아시아문화전당)
900 m walk

National Asian Culture Center

Chungjang-ro Street (충장로)
900 m walk

Chungjang-ro Street

Chungjang-ro Hong Kong Alley (충장로 홍콩골목)
1200 m walk

Chungjang-ro Hong Kong Alley

May 18 Democracy Square (5.18 민주광장)
1.3 km away

May 18 Democracy Square

Gwangju Cinema (광주극장)
1.3 km away

Gwangju Cinema