Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Shrine Museum in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan

Back in 2017, i was able to visit the Saint Andrew Kim Taegon in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan. It was after I read about a viral Facebook Post showcasing this fascinating Korean shrine which I initially refer to as a temple. I was instantly blown away by its beauty and its unique architecture. The shrine is composed of edifice that are merely influenced by Korean architecture. When we had our pilgrimage in Bulacan last year, we made sure to include the Shrine in our itinerary. Interestingly, the shrine is just few walks away from the Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Parish. If you have a car or a van, you might have a hard time finding a parking space because the entry to the shrine is quite narrow. There is, however, some nearby parking space with minimal parking fee.

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The facade of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Retreat House

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The empty room in the ground floor (2017)

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The newly converted Museum (2021)

Compared to what i have seen from my last visit, they have made some notable changes to the establishment. The building alone remains the same but the ground floor was wonderfully converted into a museum. Also, it should be noted that there is now an entrance fee to the shrine. As far as I remember, the rate is just Php20 per head. It is also important to mention that some areas have become restricted from visitors. These areas include the shrine were Saint Andrew Kim Taegon relic is enshrined, the pagoda-like prayer room, and of course, the convent area.
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The reliquary of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon (2017)

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The bronze statue of Saint Andrew Kim near the convent area (2017)

The place is now in the hands of the Sisters of Saint Andrew Kim, a congregation of Korean nuns. During our recent visit, we were warmly welcomed by Sister Roselle Peralta and introduced us to the newly opened museum dedicated to the life of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon. When i visited the place in 2017, all you can do here is to take a picture of the wonderful facade but the visitors are not allowed to go inside. You can, however, access the chapel nearby, as well as the bamboo garden and the small shrine with the original bronze statue of Saint Andrew Kim.
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Sis Roselle Peralte touring us around the museum and educating us about the life of Saint Andrew

Now, the ground floor of the building is finally converted to a museum. It is also important to mention that this building is not a TEMPLE nor a Shrine. This uniquely-designed structure is a Retreat House. Sister Roselle Peralta told us that the building is being used as a retreat house whenever the Korean nuns are here in the country. The Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Museum is built to spread the awareness about the tragic life of Saint Andrew Kim and all the Korean martyrs as well as to widen the devotion to the very first Korean saint.
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Saint Andrew Kim Taegon is actually the first Korean-born Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korea. Before embracing the priesthood and during the time where Christians in Korea are being persecuted, Andres Kim traveled and briefly stayed in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan. Taegon was arrested and sentenced to death in Korea as a traitor  and in 1846, at the age of 25, he was tortured and beheaded near Seoul on the Han River.
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Infographic Walls in the Museum

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A huge Last Supper mural on the wall.

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One of the dioramas depicting the life of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

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Another diorama depicting Saint Andrew Kim studying under the mango tree in Lolomboy. They also created a life-size statue of the same scene near the Señor Jesucristo Parish.

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A diorama depicting the tragic fate of Saint Andrew

The museum houses infographic walls showcasing the life of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and all the korean martyrs. It also houses important items like letters, portraits, and images related to the saint. You will also see a set of detailed dioramas depicting various scenes in Saint Andrew’s life, from his arrival up to his gruesome death.
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The historic altar table.

You will also find an altar table that is made from a mango tree. It is said that Saint Andrew used to study under this mango tree. It is also the place where he got a farewell letter from his father who was executed in Korea. Here are the other things you can find inside the museum:

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Portrait of Saint Andrew Kim and the korean martyrs

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Statue of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

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A wooden plank with a portrait of Christ

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There is also a beautiful indoor garden in the retreat house
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DSCF8211tA fountain with an image of Saint Joseph on top.
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This is what the fountain looks like during my 2017 visit

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After our tour, we left the retreat house and had our lunch before heading to our next destination. We went next to Malolos to visit both the famous Barasoain Church and the Malolos Cathedral.

This post is part of my Bulacan Pilgrimage series. Feel free to visit my previous entries

Things You Should Know Before Visiting the Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

►The Shrine is CURRENTLY CLOSED in observance of the pandemic but prior to the temporary closure, the Shrine is open everyday (except Mondays) from 10 am in the morning to 4 pm
►There is PHP 20 entrance fee to the Shrine (for maintenance)
►The quarters of the Korean nuns can be found near the Shrine
►Observe SILENCE! This is a place of meditation so pay some respect!
►Andrew Kim Taegon is the first Korean Born Catholic Priest and the Patron of Korea
►The feast day of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon is on September 20 along with other Korean Martyrs
►Take note that this is a Shrine not a Temple. Temple is place of worship while shrine is built to venerate a certain individual of greatness. It also serves as a Retreat House for the Sisters of Saint Andrew Kim

How to Get to Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Shrine
►There are many ways to reach Lolomboy but if you are coming from the South, here’s what you can do. Take MRT and drop off to MRT North Avenue station or ride buses bound to North or Trinoma. From the terminal (either from SM North or Trinoma), ride a van bound to Marilao and drop off to SM Marilao.
►From SM Marilao, ride a jeep with signboard going to Bocaue or Malolos and ask the driver to drop you off to Mcdonalds Lolomboy.
►Once you get there, you can walk your way to the shrine (you will pass through the Santo Cristo Parish and an elementary school). You can ask the locals and they can guide you all the way.

► You can also ride a bus from Monumento bound to Balagtas, Bulacan and ask the driver to drop you off to 7-11 Bacaue. From there, you can ride a jeepney bound to Marilao and ask the driver to drop you off to Mcdo Lolomboy (just follow the rest of the instructions above)

►You can also take a bus bound to Malanday. Upon reaching Malanday, ride a jeep bound to Bocaue or Balagtas and ask the driver to drop you off to Mcdonalds Lolomboy. (just follow the rest of the instructions above)

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