Henry Appenzeller
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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[1][2]
Background and Early life
Henry Gerhard Appenzeller was born in Souderton, Pennsylvania, in 1858. His mother was from Swiss Mennonite stock, 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 Henry's faith by gathering him and his two brothers to read German bible on Sunday afternoon. His mother speaks German but little English, therefore, German is his first language. Henry was transformed due to a personal spiritual experience on October 6, 1876. And he celebrated every year on this day as his spiritual birthday.He studied in Franklin and Marshall College, a school that is based on the Reformed Church.[3]
Work in Korea
Appenzeller arrived in Korea on April 5, 1885, a Easter Sunday morning, with his wife Ella Appenzeller. During that period, Seoul was in political struggle. Missionaries could not set up a church, nor preach in the public. Evangelism had to be done secretly. Appenzeller focused on preparing missionary residence in the frist two years. In 1887, worship in public became possible, therefore, chapel was established for service.His goal was to transform Pagan Korea into Christian Korea.[5]
In 1902, at the age of 44, Appenzeller drowned while journeying to a southern port city, Mokpo, to attend a meeting for the Bible translation. He was later buried at the Yanghwajin Foreigners' Cemetery, the grave site of over 300 foreigners including over 80 missionaries from many denominations including those sent by the United Methodist Church, and its predecessor denominations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Legacy
Since its founding in 19th century, the Korean Methodist Church has dramatically developed as one of major Protestant denominations in Korea. In 2001, the denomination comprised 5,262 churches, 1,394,514 members, and 7,298 ministers. There were six universities established under the Methodist model, including Pai Chai. In addition, the denomination had its own theological seminary, the Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul. It also had six theological institutes and 54 junior high and high schools.
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Appenzeller |