The Christ Church in Jerusalem, A Jewish Christians church

The Church of Christ (Messiah) is the first church built in Jerusalem after the Crusaders left and the first Protestant church in the Middle East. The church is located in the Armenian Quarter in front of the Tower of David Museum and is included in the complex with a museum, school and cafe worth a […]

The Church story

By the end of the year 1500, the world had a new and exciting innovation called "Printing". The earliest printed book was the Bible. People saw that what they were teaching at the church was false, and God did not reject the Jews. Suddenly, Christians in Europe became aware that the Jews were the chosen people and needed help. In 1800, many people read the Bible and were given this revelation.

In 1800, a war broke out in Europe. People believed that this was the end of the world and that the Messiah (Jesus) would come back to Israel. However, Israel had not enough Jews. Then how can the Messiah come back? Many believers have decided to come here to help Jews immigrate to Israel.

In 1809 there was a new ministry known as the Church Ministry Among Jewish People or, in short, CMJ. Their purpose, according to their official website, was to help the Jews to return to their land to carry out the will of God, so that Christ might return.

(website : https://www.cmj-israel.org/)

In 1840, a partnership took place in Jerusalem between two bishops. The German and English Protestants decided to build a church here and to have mainly masons come from the island of Malta. It lasted until 1887 because of internal conflicts.

The first British consulate in Israel was opened in the compound, and because at that time there were many sick and dead people, they decided to add a hospital to the compound as well.

How the church saved from the bombing.

The structure of the church has the form of a cross. But apart from this, the church looks more like a synagogue. The story tells that the Jordanian wanted to bomb this synagogue during the 1948 war, but the church staff hurried and put across to convince them it was a church. The others nearby synagogue building such as "Hurva" synagogue was destroyed completely.

Inside the church

It faces Temple mount and You see a lot of Jewish symbols in which the menorah and the ark on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed. In the center is the altar table on which is the Greek symbol Alpha and Omega. A symbol of Jesus being the beginning and end of everything. In the middle is written in Hebrew “Emanuel”. A name attributed to Jesus.

In the window on the right, a tree that branches out like a lamp on the right, and a cross on the other. This is a warning to Christians not to condescend the Jews, as their roots are Jewish.

The central window is an attempt to explain to the Jews the Holy Trinity: God, Emanuel, the Spirit of God.

At the back of the church you can see the seven species from the Bible.

The ceiling came from England, made of English oak. Looking up and seeing that the ceiling is shaped like the flag of England. At the entrance to the church there is a table with flyers in various languages that explain this special place.

Basic information

Address -Armenian Quarter, Infront of David Tower Museum entrance.

Christianity Protestant and Jew-Christian order.

Year of build 1840

Arrival options

Bus lines	Take the #1 bus from the central bus station. You can stop near Jaffa gate next to the Mamilla shopping center and enter the old city. After entry when you see the Armenian market turn right. And you will see David Tower Museum on your right, the church is infront of the museum, need to walk trought a gate and you are there.
Car	You can park you car in Mamilla parking lot and walk by foot from Jaffa Gate.
Taxi	If you take taxi, the nearest point they will get you is to the market in the Armenian market, from there its very easy .
Walking	If you stay overnight in Jerusalem city center, walk by foot to Jaffa gate and as mentioned look for David Tower Museum, and the church is beyond a gate infront of it.

Accessibility: It is accessible for wheelchairs.

Opening Hours Daily 10:00 am- 17:00 pm

No entrance fees

Phone number +927-(0)2-6277727

Toilet- available in the café or at the entrance to the Jaffa Gate near the information centre.

Nearby site activities

When you visit the old city of Jerusalem, you have so much to explore. Do not miss the churches of Mount Zion, the Christian quarter with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the food and market in the Muslim quarter and put your wish in the western wall.