A Study on the Architectural Characteristics of the Quonset Church in the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju

가톨릭 광주대교구 퀀셋 성당의 건축적 특성에 관한 연구

This study sought to reveal the architectural characteristics of Quonset church built in the Archdiocese of Gwangju, and the conclusions are as follows. The Quonset structure, which was used as a military barracks during World War II and was designed to be easily assembled and disassembled quickly, was used in Damyang, Hwasun, and Gokseong churchs. They were all built in 1958, after the Korean War, and can be related to the historical background of the rapid increase in the number of Catholics. They are utility buildings that can accommodate many believers, that is, large quonsets measuring 40 feet (width) x 100 feet (length). The floor plan was largely divided into two spaces, with about 3/4 reserved for the nave and altar, and the remaining 1/4, or 24 to 30 feet, used as a sacristy or confessional. The cross-section is a semicircle with a radius of 20 feet, framed by 6-inch ribs, and its unique structure, in which bricks are stacked on the outside to form the exterior, makes it different from a typical brick church. Unlike other stone churches built around the same time, Quonset church was not expanded. This may be due to the difficulty in supplying special materials such as the ribs that make up the frame, as well as the absence of relevant experts.