St. George’s Church is an Anglican church located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood (north of the Old City) in Jerusalem. Established in 1898 during the late Ottoman period, it serves as an important religious and administrative center for the Anglican community in the Holy Land. The church was founded by the Anglican Church in England to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, designating Jerusalem as the center of a new diocese covering Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Cyprus.

The church is part of a large ecclesiastical complex in Sheikh Jarrah, including a hospitality center and the diocesan headquarters, adjacent to the Anglican bishop’s palace. Built in two phases in the English Neo-Gothic style characterized by pointed arches and stained glass windows inspired by medieval European churches, the first phase was completed in 1898 and the second, including the altar and smaller chapels, in 1910.

Later restorations added a large organ made by the Austrian company Rieger in 1984, specially designed to withstand Jerusalem’s harsh climate. During the British Mandate period (1917-1948), St. George’s served as the official church for the British High Commissioner, hosting religious ceremonies and weddings for British officials.

St. George’s is the main cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, a Protestant denomination that emerged from the Church of England in the 16th century after separating from the Catholic Church. The diocese serves about 7,000 followers until 2025 across Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Cyprus, overseeing 28 parishes managed by more than 30 priests and providing educational and health services with around 1,500 staff.

Since its foundation, the Anglican Church in Jerusalem has sought to be a religious force parallel to the historical influence of Catholics and Orthodox churches, focusing on reconciliation and community engagement. During the 1948 war and the Palestinian Nakba, the church provided humanitarian and spiritual support to refugees, offering temporary shelters.

In 1958, Reverend Najib Qubein was consecrated as the first Arab Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, followed by Reverend Faiq Haddad in 1976, the first Palestinian bishop focusing on marginalized groups and refugees. On May 13, 2021, Bishop Hosam Naoum was installed as Archbishop of Jerusalem, known for promoting the church’s role in religious and social discussions, especially on justice and peace, inspired by the Gospel of John: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”