Parish History

Our St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church is the only religious community of Korean Catholics living in Houston, Texas and nearby cities. Since its founding in April 1977, it has been the center of Koreans’ religious life for nearly 50 years. It is a Korean parish belonging to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

What began in 1977 as a small, harmonious religious community of international students and immigrants has now grown into a large congregation. Sunday Masses are held in Korean and English, as well as Korean Masses on weekdays (Tuesday through Friday) and Saturdays (special Masses). Since its founding, the parish has steadily developed small groups, with approximately 30 active religious groups in 12 districts.

March 12, 1977

1st Korean Mass in Houston

First Korean mass celebrated at Vietnamese Monastery

March 12, 1977
March 23, 1977

Permission to Celebrate Korean Mass Weekly

Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston granted permission to for the Korean Catholics to hold mass every Sunday in Korean and approved Fr. Richard Paulissen (Korean name Lim Chun-Geun) to preside over the mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church

March 23, 1977
April 3, 1977

1st Korean Mass Celebrated on Palm Sunday

First mass celebrated at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Houston on Palm Sunday. There were 31 families initially. Initially, the name of the church was Korean Catholic Center.

April 3, 1977
June 28, 1977

Sr. Hye Sook (Colomba) Shim

Sister Hye-sook Shim (Colomba), a member of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Precious Blood of Christ, who was living in Wichita, Kansas, was brought to Houston.

June 28, 1977
October 12, 1977

1st Pastor – Fr. Sang Ho Han

At the request of Bishop Kim Nam-soo (An Jeol-ro), then Bishop of the Suwon Diocese, Father Han Sang-ho was appointed as the first pastor of the Houston Korean Catholic Community. Thus, the Houston Korean Catholic Community finally became a fully functioning community with a dedicated priest.

October 12, 1977
June 1, 1981

Moved to New Dedicated Location

Moved in to our new location (formerly Church of Christ)

June 1, 1981
June 1, 1982

Construction of Parish Hall

Construction of new Parish Hall with kitchen, stage and basketball court for parishioners to gather for lunch and other events.

June 1, 1982
April 3, 2002

25th Anniversary of Parish

St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church celebrated it’s 25th anniversary, where it had grown from 31 to 360 families.

April 3, 2002