In Jesus's Footsteps 
跟随基督的脚步

Jaffa, Israel

 

 

 

St. Peter's Church (Hebrew: כנסיית פטרוס הקדוש, Knessiaht Petrous Hakadosh) is a Franciscan Church in Jaffa, part of Tel Aviv, in Israel.

 

The church was built in 1654 in dedication to Saint Peter over a medieval citadel that was erected by Frederick-I and restored by Louis IX of France at the beginning of the second half of the thirteenth century. 

 

However, in the late eighteenth century the church was twice destroyed and consequently twice rebuilt.

 

The current structure was built between 1888 and 1894 and most recently renovated in 1903.

 

The church was constructed on its present location because of the significance Jaffa has to Christianity.

 

It was in Jaffa that Saint Peter raised Tabitha, one of Jesus' disciples, from the dead according to the Acts of the Apostles, 9:36-43, 10:1-4. The church is dedicated to him.

 

Since the large church is located on a hill near the shore, the building has historically dominated the view of Jaffa from the sea, thus serving as a beacon to pilgrims, signaling that the Holy Land is near.