Where was the first ever Christian Church?

[10ClarionSt]

Does anyone know where the first ever Christian Church was built? Thanks.

[dot.hawkes]

in this country?

[shaneystar2]

They dug one up a couple of years ago in Israel where they were building a prison at the time near the site of what was supposed to be Armageddon.
I think it was a Christian church and was supposed to date back to when christianity was secretly practised .

[pastafreak]

Several years ago the ruins of an ancient church -reputedly dating back to the 3rd century-were found in Israel. Go to http://www.armegeddonchurch.com

[pastafreak]

OOps! you beat me to it,Shaney!

[dot.hawkes]

oi 10 clarion street, I may not be a clever, religious type person but i can ask for clarification can't i? tut

[Clanad]

According to the New Testament Book of Acts, the believers in Jesus as the Messiah were first called Christians in Antioch of Syria (present day Turkey). This would have been about AD 44, or so. Piror to this time, the believers, especially the new converts of the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas were usually called Apostles or just The Brethern.
The term, at first, was probably derogatory in nature and generally meant Christ Believers (literally, Christianos or little Christs). Shortly, the believers wore the name as a badge of honor. So... technically, the Church at Antioch would have been the first recognized under the name Christian. It would probalby have been someone's house...

[Octavius]

Construction of churches was banned by the Romans until Constantine permitted the practice of Christianity early in the 4th century. The Armageddon one comes close being 3rd-4th C, but there is doubt that it really is a �church� as there is no evidence yet to show that it was/is dedicated to Jesus.

It may well be the first ever church, certainly the oldest in Israel if it is, but as practising Christianity was illegal and lead to persecution and death, it is more likely that they made do with small shrines in domestic dwellings, secluded houses or caves and catacombs to worship in secret.

Another �worlds oldest� church was found near the Red Sea in Ayla, Jordan � potentially dating back to 350AD, but again, the evidence is purely circumstantial.

Any churches built in that region at that time are most likely to have been destroyed or at least deconsecrated with a change of use/alternative worship.