World's 'oldest Christian church' discovered in Jordan

Archaeologists claim to have found the world's oldest church dating from shortly after Christ's crucifixion.

World's 'oldest Christian church' discovered in Jordan
Archaeologists claim to have found the world's oldest church dating from shortly after Christ's crucifixion.
Jordanian archaeologists examine the newly-discovered underground church in Rihab, Jordan

Jordanian archaeologists examine the newly-discovered underground church Photo: EPA

By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem

7:48PM BST 10 Jun 2008

If tests confirm that it dates back to between 33 AD to 70 AD, as the archaeologists claim, it would make it the earliest known place of Christian worship by around two hundred years.

According to a report in the Jordan Times newspaper, a very early underground church was found beneath the ancient Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab, northern Jordan near the Syrian border.

"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," Abdul Qader al-Husan, head of Jordan's Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, said.

"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians – the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ."




World's 'oldest Christian church'



Jordan cave may be oldest church

By Matt McGrath
BBC science correspondent

Church of Saint Georgeous in the northern Jordanian town of Rihab 10 June
The cave is beneath the ancient church of St Georgeous

Archaeologists in Rihab, Jordan, say they have discovered a cave that could be the world's oldest Christian church.

Dating to the period AD33-70, the underground chapel would have served as both a place of worship and a home.

It is claimed that it was originally used by a group of 70 persecuted Christians who fled from Jerusalem.

Jordan cave may be oldest church






World’s first Christian church found in Jordan

World’s first Christian church found in Jordan


Archaeologists have unearthed what they believe to be the first Christian church ever built. It’s located in a cave underneath the Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab in northern Jordan – where it’s thought early Christians fled to escape persecut

Built in 230 AD, Saint Georgeous is believed to be the oldest “proper” church in the world.

Archaeologists say they have evidence suggesting the church sheltered the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ.

Let me commend you on finally starting a thread which is not only quite interesting but didn't involve a single 'cut and paste' from the Bible.

reply to post by WeAreNothingWithoutGOD


Great sourcing on a great story.

Wasn't the structure at Petra previously the oldest church?

reply to post by OldCorp


believe so heard about this and just had to find it
the assume stuff they are discovering left and right this year !!!

reply to post by 1littlewolf


not just cut and paste lots and lots of praying about it and seeing it

but.... thanks anyways

if you are filled with the spirit and see what if plainly painted like a old ancient picture for you it's a little hard not to share the things you learn with everyone