Christ Church, Jerusalem
The Englican Church estabolied Christ Church in the 19th century in a prime location near Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David. It serves a local congregation of Anglican Christians and Messianic Jews and operates a guest house and a cafeteria.
History of Christ Church
In 1809, the Anglican church established the “London Jews Society” in London to convert Jews to Christianity. In 1833 they purchased a plot near Jaffa Gate and David’s Citadel. The complex would combined a consulate of Great Britain, a school, and a workshop of olive wood souvenirs (managed by the renowned scholar Conrad Schick). After much effort the church was completed in 1849.
Christ Church and Israel
The Anglican Church operated in Jerusalem, hoping to convert its Jewish community, which proved relatively unsuccessful. This led to a split in its policy towards Israel. Part of the Anglican church adopted a pro-Palestinian policy, as did most of the Anglican Church in the UK. However, Christ Church is quite pro-Israeli. Like the evangelical Church, it sees the return of the Jews to their homeland as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. Being so, some of their services are conducted in Hebrew and even include prayers for the safeguarding of Israeli soldiers.
Touring Christ Church
Christ Church is designed in a Neo-Gothic style, resembling medieval churches in Great Britain, but its interior design is unique. There is not a single cross present in its decoration. Instead, a wooden Torah ark is placed in its apse, decorated with Hebrew verses that combine the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. A Jewish Menorah decorates its front. Its front is decorated with a Jewish Menorah. The feel of the interior is a bit like a synagogue, and it is also oriented towards the Temple Mount. Christ Church is perhaps the most hybrid Church-Synagogue building in the Holy Land.
A tour of Christ Church can be combined with a guided day tour of Jerusalem.
