The first Protestant missionary presence in Palestine was established around 1845, when Lutheran and British evangelical Christian groups began arriving in the region. These groups set out to provide support and assistance to the local Christian community, and to build a lasting institutional foothold in the Holy Land. One of the earliest examples of their efforts is the Lutheran Christmas Church, which was constructed in 1893. The church was built at the behest of Augusta Victoria, the wife of German Emperor William II.
Today, the Lutheran Christmas Church stands as one of the oldest Lutheran places of worship in Palestine. Located on Madbasseh Street, next to the Dar Annadwa International Center, and across from the Salesian Convent and Church, the sanctuary has witnessed continuous worship since 1893. Each Sunday, worshippers from Bethlehem and around the world gather in this historic space.
As visitors gaze upon the church's beautiful stained-glass windows, they may be unaware of how remarkable it is that these artifacts have remained intact. The windows, produced by the Emperor Stained Glass Factory in Germany, are the only surviving examples of this particular style. This is all the more astonishing given the significant damage the church has endured - in 1967, a bomb strike impacted the roof and ceiling, and further damage occurred in 2002.
