Churches are some of the most majestic buildings in existence. Since the dawn of time, civilizations and cultures have gathered in these buildings for worship, and many of these ancient buildings are still standing, today.
1. Dura-Europos Church – 233 AD (Dura-Europos, Syria)
The Dura-Europos Church is likely the oldest church in existence. Before it was used as a church, however, it is believed that the building was a private home. Today, the site is in ruins, but it was fully excavated during the 1920s and 1930s by a team of French and American archaeologists.
2. Megiddo Church – Late 3rd to Early 4th Century AD (Tel Megiddo, Israel)
One of the most interesting things about the Megiddo Church is that it was built on the site of a modern prison, and inmates discovered the first clues of an archaeological site in 2005. Archaeologists began excavating it very quickly, and they found some remarkable information. The building was a rectangle shape, and archaeologists also found a well-preserved mosaic and several Christian artifacts.
3. Aqaba Church – 293 – 303 AD (Aqaba, Jordan)
Aqaba Church was hidden for thousands of years until it was discovered by a team of archaeologists in 1998. It is thought to be the oldest remaining Christian church in the world, or at least the oldest site that was meant to be a church.
4. Mar Sarkas – Pre-325 AD (Maalula, Syria)
Mar Sarkas is a monastery and convent that was built before 325 AD, but the exact date of construction is unknown. This makes it one of the oldest monasteries in the whole of Christendom. The convent on site holds several ancient icons, including several from the fourth century.
5. Church of the Nativity – Construction began in 325 AD (Bethlehem, Palestine)
The Church of the Nativity is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is currently under reconstruction. The site is also the home of four monastic communities including those from the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Roman Catholic, and Syriac Orthodox churches. Interestingly enough, this church is often in the news due to clashes between these communities.
Resources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_church_buildings#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Catholic%20Encyclopedia,church%20have%20been%20considered%20to
- https://catholicmagazine.news/which-is-the-oldest-church-in-the-world/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/archaeologists-one-of-worlds-oldest-churches-armenia/
