Dubai is not just a travel destination in Islam dominated Middle East region. This city has grown into a TRUE cosmopolitan city. This is why you name any nationality, and chances are high that you will plenty of people bearing it!
Dubai features a society that is culturally diverse and enriched too. It is a perfect melting pot of multicultural thoughts, habits, lifestyles, and mutual respect. This city is known for its distinctive architectural gems and Churches in Dubai can certainly be marked as worthy flagbearers!
We are so happy to tell you that churches in Dubai are really wonderful places to practice your religious belief and are highly adored by expat people in spite of the emirate’s Islamic status. Doesn’t matter if you’re a follower of Christianity or not, churches in Dubai always keep doors open for you!
Table of Contents
This article will take you on a trip to the 5 most preferred churches in Dubai that you will love to add to your bucket list while enjoying a vacation in this fascinating city.
1. Saint Mary’s Catholic Church
The church that rules the hearts of Catholic people living in Dubai is none other than the celebrated St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Established and flourished under the guidance of the Late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, this church has become the favorite gathering spot in the town when there’s any Catholic event.
The church was initially opened to the public in the year 1967 but it was demolished completely in 1988 to give it a bigger shape and size to accommodate the growing community of Catholic Christians in Dubai. This space can hold up to 1,700 worshipers at a time.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church is still the largest Roman Catholic Parish you can see around the world and also one of the oldest in the Middle East region. The construction of this church is very modern and highly maintained premises of the church make it a perfect place to find God and peace.
Apart from a ton of religious events in every season, the co-curricular activities held in St. Mary’s Catholic Church are something so intriguing, particularly the marriage preparation course. The course is highly favored by worshipers and visitors as the well-drafted lectures of the Parish Priests can actually unlock the secret of a blissful married life.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church showcases a very minimalist and modern outlook when it comes to architecture. The best part is of course the painted glass designs and figures made to accentuate the interior.
Location
247 Oud Metha Road. Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening Days
The church remains open all days of the week. You can check the mass schedule from their official website.
Services Offered
St. Mary’s Catholic Church is a very important establishment in Dubai and is visited as a method to fulfil religious purposes. The services they offer and events they host are as follows:
- Lector and Altar Services
- Obituaries
- Anniversaries
- Christian Burial
- Sports Fest
- Family Fest
- Mass
- Child Baptism
- Reconciliation
- Sacrament of Confession
- Marriage Preparation Course
- Confirmation (Adults)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Childrens Catechism
- Adults Catechism
- Bible Story
- Choirs
- Communities
- Family/Nurses’ Ministry
For more details, you can check their sacraments and Parish Life section on their official website.
2. St. Francis of Assisi Church
The second-best place for Christian communities in Dubai is St. Francis of Assisi Church. This church was in the territory of St. Mary’s Church Dubai. Later it was given its own entity and blessed with a new premise.
In 2001, the construction of St. Francis of Assisi Church was completed on a small mountain desert in the Jebel Ali area and was consecrated on 15th November of the same year.
The parish owns an area of 50,000 square feet consisting of a single building with three parts. The main church is adjoined to the Assisi Parish Hall. There is also the Padua Centre with fifteen halls to be used for Prayer meets and Catechesis. Additionally. There are separate residential area and office area.
St. Francis of Assisi Church is believed to be the masterpiece by Bishop Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli. Visitors simply adore the mosaic picture of Jesus embracing St. Francis features on the Cross. Ambience inside this church is filled with an angelic aura to evoke a strong sense of divinity.
Since its inception day, this church has successfully served the spiritual needs of Catholic Christians living/working in the Jebel Ali area along with the Al Quoz Industrial area.
Location
St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening Days
The church opens everyday to offer regular mass services. Check their Mass Schedule to see which slot and language suits you the best.
Services Offered
- Holy Mass
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Altar Servers
- Lector Ministry
- Eucharistic Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Family Ministry
- Catechism
- Ushers
- Choir
- Prayers and other services
If you wish to have more details on each of their services, you can visit their Sacraments, Ministries, Catechism and Parish Life section from their official website.
3. Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai
Just like its name, the Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai is a beautiful place of religious importance in the city. Also known to some as the United Christian Church of Dubai, this place of worship was established in 1962.
The architecture of this Evangelical church is something that will instantly catch your attention. The structure showcases a striking similarity with the fascinating Arabian Architectural Style. The exterior of the church is enough to declare “respect for all cultures.”
Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai typically holds a weekly service every Friday to encourage all followers and worshippers in Dubai to gather under a single roof. For the members, the church organizes special Membership Matters classes.
You will be astonished to hear that this place witnesses more than 1,000 people from more than 50 nationalities gathering at their weekly services.
Location
Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai, Jebel Ali Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening Days
Friday and Sunday
Services Offered
This church is doing more than just encouraging people to offer their sincere prayers. Take a look at the services, they offer:
- Mass
- Children’s Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Classes
- Women’s Bible Study
- Weekly Bible Study
- Sermons
You can visit their official website to understand what services you can expect there.
4. Holy Trinity Church Dubai
There are very few churches in Dubai that blend modernity with the eternal faith in God and Holy Trinity Church is one of them (or probably the best of them). This is an inter-denominational Christian church perfectly conceptualized to meet the religious need of expatriates in the city.
As soon as you step into the church premise, you can see and feel the serenity that calms down the storm within you immediately. This quiet place is therefore often visited by many with a sudden urge to offer a prayer.
Representing a community of multi-nationalities, traditions and backgrounds – Holy Trinity Church Dubai is undoubtedly the most tolerant and caring one in the town. It never discriminates and welcomes everyone with a sincere heart.
With a glorious history of more than 40 years, this church organizes one of the most enlightening worship services in Dubai. There are a bunch of additional programmes offered by the church to meet the needs of all age groups.
Location
Oud Metha Road, Al Karama, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Worship Days
Saturday and Sunday
Services Offered
Holy Trinity Church Dubai offers a range of services to its followers. Here comes the list.
- Church Choir
- Junior Church
- Pathfinders
- Women’s Guild
- Weddings
- Final Rites
- Baptism
- Church Picnic
- Carols in the Desert
- Bible Study
Their Worship Timings are clearly conveyed through their official website so that interested one never miss any.
5. Emirates Baptist Church International (EBCI)
As you can clearly see from the name itself, Emirates Church International is a Baptist church in the city of Dubai. There are not many Baptist worship spots in the town and no wonder why this place has made it to our list.
Established back in 1997, the church has completed its 25 glorious years of service to the people and to God. No matter who you are or where you are from, Emirates Baptist Church International is here to welcome you with an open arm and peaceful shelter under name of the Almighty.
The church follows the path shown in the Holy Bible and the community is majorly made of English-speaking expats who have made Dubai their second home. The congregation at this Dubai church consists of all age groups.
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel, Al Mankhool, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Service Days
Weekend services are held on Sundays. Bible Study at 10.00 AM and worshipping at 11.00 AM.
Services Offered
Here is a list of services offered at this Baptist church:
- Children Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Life Groups
- Sermons
- Weekly Worship Service
Please check out Emirates Baptist Church International’s official website for any kind of updates related to their upcoming events and services.
FAQs
We understand that many of you are still very eager to get answers to your queries related to Dubai churches, Christianity in Dubai and more. Wait is over! We are listing here the most frequently asked questions in this section and hopefully, they will be able to satisfy your questions.
Q. Is Christianity Legal in Dubai?
Yes, it is. There is no law in the Emirates of Dubai barring anyone from practicing their religion and worshiping their deities. Celebrating Christianity is absolutely fine there. However, the emirate’s law doesn’t allow converting any Muslim to any other religion. However, non-Muslims can be converted to Islam if they wish so.
Q. Are Christians free to celebrate their festivals and perform their prayers in Dubai?
Yes, they are. Communal harmony in Dubai is quite balanced and there’s no chance of unpleasant incidences unless you deliberately disrespect other people’s culture and religious belief.
Q. How many churches are there in Dubai?
More than 20 churches including Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican.
Q. Can you marry as per Christian rituals in Dubai?
Yes, you can with the proper documents.
You can check out our previous post for any assistance about getting married in Dubai.
Q. Are Christian marriages made in Dubai acceptable globally?
Yes. Christian marriages made in Dubai are completely legal and accepted worldwide.
Conclusion
Dubai is dotted with a number of churches so that the followers and believers living in the city never face any hindrance in performing their duty towards God and society. We listed the best 5 churches in Dubai and there are many more waiting to be explored by you.
Thanks for reading! Make sure to come back for more on Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Also, follow us on Pinterest and Subscribe to our Youtube channel too.
