Old City oasis

The ancient city of Jerusalem is home to the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East.

By JIM FLETCHER
The Hebrew roots of Christianity are on full display (photo credit: Jim Fletcher)
The Hebrew roots of Christianity are on full display
(photo credit: Jim Fletcher)
From the black, wrought iron gate in the front, to the peaceful garden in the back, visitors to the Christ Church complex in Jerusalem’s Old City are treated to a remarkably serene rest and perfect launching point for exploring the world’s most famous city.
One wonders what it looked like on December 13, 1841.
On that day, with the headwinds of emotional fanfare back in England, the foundations were dug for a Protestant church in Palestine. In fact, it was the first in the Middle East in modern times.
From an 1844 report by architect J.W. Johns, we are transported back to the momentous event: “On the 13th of December... the foundations of the Church were laid out, and the next day their excavation begun... I was, however, soon convinced of the utter impossibility of forming a foundation, which could be depended upon, of this material from the honeycomb nature of the debris accumulated on the rock of this portion of Mount Zion, arising from the numberless sieges and earthquakes Jerusalem has been subjected to.”
Johns’s report also mentions the “chief cornerstone” laid a month later, on January 28: “On the 28th of January 1842, the first stone was laid by Bishop Alexander... on the rock of Mount Zion, at the depth of 35 feet from the surface.”
Originally called the Apostolic Anglican Church, Bishop Samuel Gobat consecrated the place as “Christ Church” in early 1849, and the church has largely been made up of Jewish converts to Christianity. Today, there is a decidedly eclectic congregation, including Arabs.
In an odd twist of history, Great Britain in the 19th century was governed by men who believed in the Zionist cause. They worked not only to establish political Zionism in Palestine, but sought to bring in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy as well, with the ingathering of the Jewish people to their ancestral home.
This came on the heels of evangelistic efforts in the area a generation before, when American missionaries Levi Parsons and Pliny Fisk first entered Jerusalem’s gates. Parsons died at Alexandria in 1822, and Fisk succumbed three years later in Beirut. Interestingly, the rest of the century saw Western missionaries in Beirut gradually abandoning gospel endeavors, as they perhaps unintentionally built up Arab nationalism.
Not so in Jerusalem.
Christ Church was considered a critical outpost for those wishing to see the fulfillment of prophecy and the return of Christ. Today, the guardians of Christ Church seek to bless all peoples in the Middle East.
Over time, the Christ Church compound was home to the British consulate, and a girls’ school. The Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People (CMJ) continues to operate the facility. Recently, a major renovation of Christ Church’s sanctuary was undertaken and the effect has been dramatic. Today, the interior gleams, and services are well-attended, under the direction of Rector David Pileggi.
As the CMJ website states: “We are an English-speaking congregation that appreciates our Jewish roots in a liturgical and historical context. Towards this end we celebrate both Jewish and Christian holidays, incorporate some Hebrew into our liturgy and preach in a way to emphasize a Hebraic understanding of the Gospels. At the same time we remain unashamed of our Christian heritage and recognize that the spiritual treasures handed down to us by previous generations of Christians are part of our lives and worship.”
In 2004, a declaration of beliefs was issued by the ministry, and it says in part: “CMJ commits itself to move beyond the present debate amongst Christians, which is often characterized by sterile polarization and inflammatory words, to show understanding and tolerance and to focus on reconciliation, justice and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Importantly, the ministry wishes to remain outside the political debates, even stating that CMJ “does not hold any official position as to the appropriate location of the borders of the state.”
While emphasizing its love for all people, including all Palestinians in the area, CMJ has issued a critical theological statement, rejecting the position known as “Replacement Theology,” and forcefully acknowledging the rising anti- Semitism around the world.
Away from all the political and religious turmoil, Christ Church is indeed that oasis where pilgrims can enjoy a clean guesthouse, sumptuous breakfast, and spiritual refreshment.