Dura-Europos, a historical landmark in Syria, is widely considered the oldest church in the world.

In the 1920s and 1930s, archeologists unearthed the city of Dura-Europos.

Dura-Europos, a historical landmark in Syria, is widely considered the oldest church in the world.
Dura-Europos, a historical landmark in Syria, is widely considered the oldest church in the world.

Dura-Europos Church is widely considered to be the oldest in existence.

Dura-Europos, located in modern-day Syria, is renowned as the world's oldest Christian house church, having initially been constructed as a residence before being transformed into a place of worship.

A house church is a private home where individuals come together for worship.

Dura Europos Church in Syria
Dura-Europos Church is considered to be the first house church in existence.  (Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Although Dura-Europos was not initially built as a church, some historians argue that it should not be widely regarded as such.

Despite Guinness World Records recognizing the church as the oldest church building, many sources still claim that Dura-Europos holds the "world's oldest" title.

The church was constructed in the city of Dura-Europos, close to the village of Salihiyah in contemporary Syria. According to Christianity.com, the construction of the church took place between 233 and 256 AD.

In the 1920s and 1930s, a team of American and French archaeologists, led by Yale University and the French Academy of Inscriptions and Letters, discovered thousands of artifacts, including frescoes, in the excavation of a specific area. According to Britannica, fresco painting is a technique that involves applying water-based pigments on freshly applied plaster, typically on wall surfaces.

Ruins of Dura-Europos Church
Dura-Europos Church was built in modern-day Syria, but is now in ruins.  (PHAS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The unearthing of the city uncovered a synagogue, Christian building, and Mithraeum, as well as over 12,000 artifacts, which are now preserved at Yale University, according to the Ivy League's website.

Some of the oldest Christian paintings ever discovered are among the artifacts now residing at Yale University, having been uncovered during excavation.

A baptistery fragment was discovered in three pieces.

According to Christianity.com, the church in an ISIS-controlled area is now in ruins.

Fragment of painting found at Dura-Europos Church
One of many pieces of religious artwork found in Dura-Europos was the piece pictured here. The photo displays one of three fragments that were found.  (Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The oldest church in the United States is widely believed to be San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Since its creation in 1610, the Catholic Church has undergone numerous reconstructions and remains operational to this day.

by Ashlyn Messier

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Dura-Europos, a historical landmark in Syria, is widely considered the oldest church in the world.

Dura-Europos, a historical landmark in Syria, is widely considered the oldest church in the world.

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