10 oldest churches in the world

Nave of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

List and description of 10 oldest churches in the world as well as other church buildings that, according to legends, are exceptionally old.

Stavrovouni Monastery

Stavrovouni Monastery

One of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. According to a legend, it was founded in 327-329 AD by Saint Helena who brought a piece of the Holy Cross there.

Church of the Nativity with the Nativity Grotto

Nave of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem might be the oldest continuously operating church in the world. It was first built around 326-330 AD or a bit later over the presumed birthplace of Jesus.

Qirqbize church

Qirqbize house church

One of the oldest church buildings in the world, a ruin of a possible early 4th-century church in the abandoned Byzantine village of Qirqbize.

Monastery of Saint Anthony

Monastery of Saint Anthony

A Coptic monastery and the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world. Saint Antony started to live in a small cave there around 311 AD and some decades later his disciples joined.

Aqaba Church

Remnants of the oldest known purpose-built church. Its construction was started between 293 and 303 AD.

Megiddo church

Mosaic on the floor of Megiddo church

Remnants of one of the oldest known church (rather – a prayer hall) buildings. It was built in the 3rd century AD and there is found a fine mosaic floor with Greek inscription mentioning Jesus Christ.

Leang Tedongnge

A limestone cave in a secluded karst gorge. In this cave has been found the oldest known painting made by man. This painting is at least 45 500 years old and shows a group of three wild pigs, most likely Sus celebensis.

Piney Creek Site

Petroglyphs in Piney Creek Site

Piney Creek Site is the richest petroglyph site in Illinois with some 150 petroglyphs which were created sometimes between 450 and 1550 AD.