Let me tell you a story.  It is a story about a father and son (with some neighbors) who decide to go on a trek to the 4th Century Jubail Church.  Now if anyone from the government is reading, I want to reiterate that this story is completely fictional. 

Now, if you try to search for it in Google Maps, you will not find the place.  In a place where all religions besides Islam are illegal, there is actually an interesting piece of Christian history right on our doorstep — the Jubail Church.

It is located at the coordinates 26°56′14.78″N 49°39′23.3″E.  If you enter those coordinates into Google Maps, you see an interesting structure surrounded by a fence.

Father/son adventure

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak nothing is really open in Saudi Arabia.  Last weekend, this group of individuals decided to practice some social distancing by exploring to find the Jubail Church.

Any religion but Islam is forbidden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  As a result, as the party drove down the unmarked path with their Google Maps on their phones showing directions, the route wasn’t the easiest to follow and they did get a bit lost.  They passed a sign (in all Arabic) that they assumed meant no trespassing and happened upon a fence with barbed wire.  Apparently, Saudi officials contend that the sight is closed because they are doing ‘restoration’ but there was no sign that any had taken place in a number of years.

Luckily for them, there was a convenient hole in the fencing that allowed them an easy path to the church.  So for the first time, I guess this father and son team broke the law together.

Jubail Church

The church itself is in ruins.  Jubail Church is a 4th Century Church from the Church of the East.  Apparently, it used to have some kind of crucifixes still attched to walls, but they look to now be either chiseled off by vandals, or cemented over (presumably by the government).  Still, considering it is from the 4th Century, that makes it particularly important.  You can also see some columns and ancient scroll-work carved into the walls.

It was definitely an interesting little trip, and one I wouldn’t mind taking. (Since I clearly wasn’t on this trip)  I was told that there are foundations of other buildings in the area that they didn’t get to see.  Check out the pics below!

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