St Andrew's Church, Jerusalem facts for kids
St Andrew's Church, also called the Scots Memorial Church, is a special church in Jerusalem. It was built to remember Scottish soldiers who bravely fought and died in World War I. These soldiers helped end the rule of the Ottoman Empire over Palestine. This church is a Presbyterian church, part of the Church of Scotland.
Contents
History of St Andrew's Church
The idea for this memorial church came from Ninian Hill, a ship owner from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was also a Church elder, which is a leader in the church. The first stone of the church was placed on May 7, 1927, by a famous general named Field Marshal Lord Allenby. The church officially opened in 1930, and Ninian Hill became its first minister.
The British Mandate Period
During the time when Britain governed Palestine (known as the British Mandate), many Scottish people lived and worked in Jerusalem. Scottish soldiers were also stationed there. St Andrew's Church was a very important place for them, especially during World War II.
The Church During Wars (1947–1948, 1967)
St Andrew's Church was right in the middle of the fighting when wars broke out in 1948. Battles happened between Jewish forces in West Jerusalem and Arab groups in the Old City. Later, Jordanian and Israeli armies fought nearby. The church was in a very important spot, close to where the front lines were.
The minister at that time, William Clark Kerr, stayed in the church during all the fighting. He kept ringing the church bell and held Sunday services. He even sent a message to Scotland saying, "All night battle round the building... St Andrew's Cross (flag) on both church and manse. If that is not enough will try Rampant Lion." This showed how determined he was.
You can still see marks on the church building from the fighting during the Six-Day War in 1967.
Scottish Connections and Presence
Scottish missions first came to the Galilee area in the mid-1800s. For about 100 years, Scottish Presbyterians helped a lot with education and medicine in the region. A special song from the Bible, Psalm 122, is sung every May at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh:
- "Pray that Jerusalem may have
- peace and felicity:
- let them that love you and your peace
- still have prosperity."
After World War I, many more Scots came to live and work in Jerusalem because of the British Mandate. However, after the Mandate ended in 1948 and Israel was formed, fewer Scots stayed. The church's location near the 'Green Line' (which divided Jerusalem politically) also made it harder for it to connect with the Christian community in the Old City.
The Church Today
The current Minister of St Andrew's Church As of 2022[update] is Rev. Murial Pearson.
The church is open for Sunday services. It also has a hotel and guesthouse where people can stay.
The Church Building's Design
The church was designed in 1927 by a British architect named Clifford Holliday. Its simple, clear shape stands across the Hinnom Valley from the ancient walls of the Old City. The church and its guesthouse wing look a bit like a Highland castle with a strong tower.
The building mixes both Western and Eastern styles. You can see details that remind you of Crusader-style buildings, but also beautiful Armenian decorative tiles. The stained glass windows are made with blue Hebron glass set into plaster panels. They have cool Art-Deco geometric patterns and combine the Latin cross with the X-shaped Scottish Saint Andrew's cross.
Inside the church, there's a special plaque on the floor in front of the communion table. It remembers King Robert Bruce of Scotland. He wanted his heart to be buried in Jerusalem when he died. His friend, Sir James Douglas, tried to take it to the Holy Land. But Sir James died in battle in Spain on the way. King Bruce's heart and Sir James's remains were then returned to Scotland.
Other Scottish Facilities
The Church of Scotland also runs other places in the area:
- The Tabeetha School in Jaffa is an English-language school. It welcomes Christian, Jewish, and Muslim children.
- The refurbished Scots Hotel in Tiberias is another facility. This hotel is in a building that used to be known as the Scottish Hospital, or Dr Torrance's hospital.
See also
- List of Church of Scotland parishes
- Scots Hotel
- Christianity in Israel
