Walking through Jeju Ark Church

Walking through Jeju Ark Church

Strolling between the fields and forests of Jeju's mid-mountain region,
As if guided by a gentle breeze,
I found myself pausing there.

A single ark floating on water,
This is Jeju Ark Church.

Like Noah's Ark,
This place offers a refuge of rest,
A sanctuary amidst the harshness of the world.

In the absence of the world's noise,
A serene breath was placed.

Light falls upon the water,
And the water embraces the sky.

The church, as if hands raised in prayer,
Bridges the heavens and the earth.

The solid concrete structure
May seem cold at first glance,
But the wind and water flowing over it
Breathe life into the building.

Here, the wind preaches,
And the water sings hymns.

Even without a single cross,
This church whispers the presence of God
In a silent language.

The architect who designed this place,
Itami Jun (Yoo Dong-ryong),
Completed the structure by embracing
The nature of Jeju.

The ark is not merely a building,
But his prayer and confession.

There was no need to step inside.
The church had already become one with nature,
Worshiping on its own.

My footsteps simply listened,
And my gaze quietly lingered.

Clouds touched the water,
And the sky descended upon the building.

Here,
Even the sky seemed to catch its breath.

The heavy burdens the world had pushed upon me,
I wanted to lay them down before this church.

If only for a moment,
I could walk in a weightless time.

As I left the Ark Church,
I turned back for one last look.

It still rested upon the water,
And in a quiet corner of my heart,
That church remained.