Dubai is a city that welcomes expats with open arms, celebrating diverse cultures and traditions from all over the world.
It’s a place where people from different backgrounds come together, creating a vibrant and inclusive community.
No matter where you’re from, Dubai makes it easy to feel at home.
You’ll find familiar comforts, a strong sense of belonging, and the freedom to practice your faith.
Whether it’s a church, synagogue, temple, or gurudwara, the city ensures that everyone has a place to worship in peace.
But what’s it really like for Christians living in Dubai?
In this blog, we’ll explore how Christianity is embraced in the city and highlight some of the most well-known churches you can visit.
Let’s dive in!
Christianity in the United Arab Emirates
Even though the UAE is a Muslim country, it strongly upholds religious freedom, allowing people to practice their faith without any interference.
This openness has made it a welcoming home for Christians from all over the world—whether from Europe, Asia, Africa, or beyond—creating a diverse and thriving Christian community.
Believe it or not, around 19.7% of the UAE’s population is Christian, with Catholics and Protestants making up a large part of this group.
But no matter which denomination you follow, there’s a place for you here.
In fact, the country is home to over 45 churches, each offering a spiritual sanctuary while also standing as breathtaking architectural landmarks.
In the next section, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular churches in Dubai and what makes them so special!
Catholic, Orthodox & Marthoma Churches
Dubai is home to a diverse Christian community, and no matter which denomination you belong to, there’s a place for you to worship.
For Catholics, there are two major churches in the city—St. Mary’s Church in Oud Metha, right in the heart of Dubai, and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, serving those in New Dubai.
Both are well-established and offer a welcoming space for worshippers.
Traditional churches like the Protestant, Marthoma, Russian Orthodox, and Egyptian Orthodox churches also have permanent places of worship across the UAE.
The Egyptian Orthodox Church in Dubai has a strong and dedicated following, while the Russian Orthodox Church in Sharjah is not just a place of worship—it’s an architectural masterpiece that stands out with its stunning design.
With so many churches catering to different Christian communities, Dubai ensures that everyone has a place to connect with their faith.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these beautiful churches and what makes them special!
Church Service Timings and Language Services Provided
The timings of the church service timings in the Catholic churches in Dubai are provided for St. Mary’s Church and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
The timings of Dubai City church are also provided.
Protestant, Anglican, Evangelical, Pentecostal and Born Again Churches
The protestant churches in Dubai – The Holy Trinity Church in Oud Metha Street (5 minutes from the Health Care Metro) and The Christ Church Jebel Ali are the Anglican churches in Dubai.
They generously facilitate space for many churches to have regular weekly services.
These churches are called guest congregations.
More than fifty churches have regular weekly services in the facility of these two churches.
The churches in Sharjah are only a 15-minute drive from Dubai during off-peak traffic hours.
The absence of the cross outside the churches in this region is a unique feature about the majority of the churches in the region.
The churches in Abu Dhabi are less than two hours drive from Dubai.
Languages of Church Services in Dubai
Tourists visiting Dubai and residents in Dubai have options to attend regular weekly church services in over thirty languages.
Christian church services are available in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Mandarin, Tamil, Russian, Arabic, Armenian, Sinhalese and so on.
15 Best Christian Churches in Dubai
Here is a list of the 15 most popular and influential churches in Dubai.
These churches hold weekly prayers and organize social camps:
1. St. Mary’s Catholic Church
St Mary’s Church in Dubai, UAE is one of the oldest and most-visited churches today.
Situated at 247 Oud Metha Road, this church is also the largest Roman catholic church in the world.
Before the church was formed, the services to Dubai’s Catholic Christian community were offered from Bahrain.
After requests from the community, the late UAE prime minister HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum donated a place to carry out prayers.
But, the area was far away.
Then in 1965, with the help of Father Eusebio Davari, a better place was found.
On May 25, 1966, Sheikh Rashid laid the foundation for the new church.
Although it was demolished in 1988, the church was rebuilt again.
Now it is one of the most prominent Christian Churches in Dubai.
Contact Number: +971 4 3370087
Mass Timings at St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Days | Holy Mass (Weekday Liturgy) | Holy Mass (Obligatory) | Children’s Mass (Obligatory) |
Saturday | 06:00 AM | 07:15 AM | 12:00 PM |
Sunday | – | 06:00 AM | 10:15 AM |
Monday | 06:00 AM | – | – |
Tuesday | 06:00 AM | – | – |
Wednesday | 06:00 AM | – | – |
Thursday | 06:00 AM | – | – |
Friday | 06:00 AM | – | – |
Holy Mass in Other Languages – Timings
Arabic Mass
10:30 AM – Every Friday
11:30 AM – Every Sunday
08:00 PM – Every Sunday
French Mass
06:00 PM – Every Saturday
Konkani Mass
02:00 PM – Every 3rd Sunday
08:00 PM – Every 2nd & 4th Friday
Malayalam Mass
02:00 PM – Every Sunday
08:15 PM – Every 4th Wednesday
08:15 PM – Every 1st & 3rd Friday
Malankara Mass
07:30 PM – Every Sunday (Mini Hall)
Sinhalese Mass
04:30 PM – Every 4th Sunday
07:30 PM – Every 1st Sunday
Tamil Mass
07:30 PM – Every 4th Sunday
08:00 PM – Every 3rd Wednesday
08:00 PM – Every 1st & 2nd Friday
Tagalog Mass
12:45 PM – Every Sunday
Urdu Mass
08:00 PM – Every Friday
Baptisms, Confessions, Rosary, Adoration and Novena
Baptism
01:30 PM – Every Saturday
02:30 PM – Every Friday
Baptism (Syro-Malabar)
03:00 PM – 4th Saturday of every month
Baptism Seminar (Online)
08:30 AM – 2nd Sunday of every month
Confessions
On request
Novena St. Antony of Padua
07:30 PM – Every Tuesday
Novena O.L.P.S
07:30 PM – Every Wednesday
Rosary
08:30 AM – Saturday & Sunday
06:30 PM – Monday to Friday
Adoration – English
07:30 PM – Every Tuesday
05:30 PM – Every 1st Friday ((except during lent)
2. St. Francis of Assisi Church
This church was founded in 2001 and is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Jebel Ali, near the Complex of Al Muntazah.
Even though it is newer, it already has a strong parish church membership and almost 80 different groups.
As a catholic church in Dubai, it serves a wide range of devout people from various backgrounds and cultures.
Contact Number: +971 4 884 5251
Holy Mass Timings at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
English Masses
Saturday – 8:30 AM 5.30 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday – 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10.30 AM, 5.30 PM and 7:00 PM
Weekdays – 6:15AM, 9:00AM and 7.00 PM
Asian and European Languages Holy Masses
Arabic Masses
Saturday – 12:00 PM
Monday – 8:00 PM
French Masses
Saturday – 10.00 AM
Italian Masses
Saturday ((1st & 3rd)) – 4:00 PM
Konkani Masses
Friday (1st & 3rd) – 8:00 PM
Korean Masses
Sunday (2nd & 4th) – 2.00 PM
Malayalam Masses
Saturday & Sunday – 8.15 PM
Malankara Masses
Sunday (2nd & 4th) – 3.00 PM
Sinhalese Masses
Sunday (1st & 3rd) – 3:00 PM
Spanish Masses
Sunday (2nd & 4th) – 12.00 PM
Tamil Masses
Sunday (2nd & 4th) – 3.30 PM
Tagalog Masses
Sunday (1st & 3rd) – 12.00 PM
Ukrainian Masses
Sunday (1st & 3rd) – 1.30 PM
3. Emirates Baptist Church International
There are very few baptist churches in Dubai.
And Emirates Baptist Church International is one of the most prominent among them.
This church is situated inside the Grand Excelsior Hotel, in Al Barsha, in Dubai, UAE.
This church mainly serves the people in Al Barsha and holds weekly praying sessions on Friday.
In 1928 a group of 28 believers established this church and since then it has grown and maintained its status as one of the most influential Christian Churches in Dubai.
Contact Number: +971 50 646 2079
4. CSI Parish
Situated at Oud Metha Road in Dubai, this church holds weekly prayers on Thursdays.
The Bishop of Madhya Kerala in the 1970s granted permission to build this holy church.
And in 1975, with the help of the Late Reverend Philip Sturdy, the CSI Parish church was established.
This church also holds Sunday school for children and issues women’s memberships.
Contact Number: +971 4 337 2111
5. The Dubai City Church
The Dubai City Church is a Spirit-filled, Bible-based church.
This church in Dubai is known for the Word preached.
It is powerful as it is pure, and bold without any compromise.
The praise and worship during the weekly services are like a refreshing oasis.
For nearly three decades, the church has led people to God’s promises and blessings in various aspects of their lives.
Inspiring and encouraging weekly testimonies of lives being touched and transformed are a joy to hear.
The testimonies of signs, wonders, and miracles are precious to hear.
People from various walks of life – families, students, and professionals – testify to the mercies and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
Contact Number: +971 50 705 7605
Dubai City Church Weekly Service Schedule
Main Weekly Service
Saturdays from 6 PM to 8 PM at at St. Pauls Hall, Holy Trinity Church Complex
Thursdays Holy Communion Service
Thursdays from 8:30 PM at St. Pauls Hall, Holy Trinity Church Complex
6. Dubai Mar Thoma Parish Church
This church is one of the world’s largest worshipping places for Marthomites.
Syrian Christians are called Marthomites.
In 1969, Christians from Kerala built this church at Jebel Ali, in Dubai, UAE.
Today this church has 2200 families as its members portraying its growth over the years.
Contact Number: +971 4 884 5231
7. Holy Trinity Church
With over 30,000 worshippers, this church is one of the largest protestant churches in Dubai.
It is situated near the Iranian Club, on 19th street.
Anglicans believe that there is only one God but they also believe that this one God has three forms: the Holy Spirit, the Son and the Father.
They are staunch believers of Jesus Christ and his teachings.
Anglicans consider Jesus as the son of God and one of the most influential people to have ever walked on earth.
Contact Number: +971 4 337 0247
8. Maranatha Full Gospel Church
This church was initially founded in Bangalore in the year 1965.
It was registered as a society after almost 9 years.
From there it has come a long way and reached the UAE as well as the Middle East.
In Dubai, its biggest branch can be found in Oud Mehta.
Contact Number: +971 50 840 9777
9. The United Christian Church of Dubai
The United Christian Church of Dubai is one of the most prominent protestant churches in Dubai and is based on the evangelical theme.
The main building has Arabic architecture.
This church is situated in Jebel Ali and was established in 1962.
It organizes weekly prayer sessions on Fridays. One can become a member of this church by signing up for the matters classes.
Contact Number: +971 4 808 9988
10. Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral
Mor Ignatius Syrian Orthodox Cathedral is a Syrian orthodox church located in Jebel Ali.
It was established in 1967 and now has over 1000 attendees.
This church, like many other Christian churches in Dubai, holds regular social events like Blood donation camps.
Contact Number: +971 50 459 2844
11. Covenant Hope Church Dubai
The Covenant Hope Church in Dubai has beautiful architecture.
Situated in Jebel Ali, it holds weekly prayer on Fridays.
This church has the vision to instill beliefs among everyone who enters its doors.
They hold weekly prayer on Sundays to teach the essence of the holy Bible among its disciples.
Contact Number: +971 50 455 7397
12. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a catholic church in Dubai.
This is the largest Eastern Catholic Church and follows its own law.
This church has many names such as Union Church, the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Byzantine rite.
Located at Oud Metha, this church was established in 1997.
Contact Number: +971 50 496 2404 / +971 56 757 4731
13. St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church
Located in Jebel Ali, this church is an Orthodox Christian Church.
Established in 1986, it is built in the modern Coptic shape of Noah’s Ark.
This church teaches the essence of the Bible and orthodoxy.
It is located at Jebel Ali.
Contact Number: +971 4 884 4000
14. King’s Revival Church International Dubai
The King’s Revival Church is one of the most well-known Full Gospel Non-Denominational Pentecostal Churches in Dubai.
They have their own rules and do not obey any specific sect of Christianity.
One of the best aspects of this church is that it caters to a wide community and believes in diversity.
It is headquartered in Oud Mehta in Dubai.
Email ID: godslove@yourmiraclelife.com
15. St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Dubai
This is another beautiful church in Dubai that is famous for its orthodox and cathedral teachings.
Situated at Oud Metha Road, near Indian High School, St Thomas Church is mostly visited by Indian immigrants.
The church stands out because it does not have pews and the believers sit on the softly carpeted ground to pray.
However, English is not the primary language here to pray and participate in religious activities.
Contact Number: +971 4 337 1122
These are just some of the important churches in Dubai.
There are also a number of smaller places of worship in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Are churches allowed in Dubai?
Yes, Churches are allowed in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, even though it is an Islamic country.
How many churches are there in Dubai?
Dubai has more than 70 Christian churches. These weekly church gatherings happen in Dubai every week. Over 50 in the Holy Trinity Church complex and the Christ Church in Jabel Ali. The two Catholic churches have over 10 to 20 weekly church gatherings. And many other weekly Holy Masses are happening in the other churches in Dubai. A church is not a physical building. It is a gathering of people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
How many churches are there in the UAE?
There are more than 140 church gatherings in the UAE. Of which over 70 churches are in Dubai.
Is the Bible allowed in Dubai?
Yes, the Bible is allowed in Dubai. Authorities do not question if someone carries a Bible or any other scripture with them while commuting.
Is Christianity Accepted in Dubai?
90% of Dubai’s population is made up of immigrants, and all religions, including Christianity, have places of worship and prayer. However, there is a law that states that people of other religions cannot convert any Muslim to Christianity, but they can convert to Islam.
Christians have the freedom to visit their churches and wear traditional Christian attire.
What is the main religion of Dubai?
Islam is the main religion in the UAE. However, the country is tolerant of other faiths.
GMI’s Research Team is a panel of knowledgeable experts from various fields such as digital marketing, social media, and web development, all united by a common goal—to educate. We enjoy exploring everything from the latest industry trends and emerging technologies to people and demographics, both in the UAE and beyond. Through our blog posts, we share valuable insights that help businesses and marketers stay informed and prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
