The Church of the Messiah (Immanuel Church)

This church is the first Protestant church that was built in Jerusalem, and in fact, the first church that was built within the walls during the 19^th century, after hundreds of years during which the Muslim rule prohibited the establishment of churches in Jerusalem and even the ringing of bells.   Jerusalem during the beginning of the 19^th century was a neglected and forsaken city at the margins of the Ottoman Empire. Progress finally emerged when the European empires showed interest in the city, and in 1839 the first British consulate was built in Jerusalem. It became the first western consulate in the city. In 1841, the Anglican church and the German Lutheran church founded a joint Protestant diocese, which operated in Jerusalem and established many buildings and institutions until its dismantling in 1886. In 1844, the Anglican Hospital was established, becoming the first hospital in Jerusalem and Israel. The church was built by the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, an Anglican organization that believed in the necessity of the Jews’ return to their land as part of the redemption process, and it was inaugurated in 1849. The interior of the church is designed simply, with Jewish symbols and verses in Hebrew. There is a small bell tower in the church’s courtyard. The church’s bell was the first to ring in Jerusalem since the times of the crusaders. Later on, additional buildings were built in the compound. Today, the compound serves as a hospice, and also houses a heritage center. The church serves various communities for prayer and gathering.