Churches in Pakistan have existed since the 16th century when Christian missionaries started coming to the region after the arrival of the East India Company. When Pakistan became a country after the end of British rule, many churches were built for British Army officials.
These churches became the main places of worship for the hundreds of thousands of families who became a part of Pakistan after independence. The churches remain an essential part of Pakistan’s heritage and represent peace and harmony between different faiths in the country. In 1970, the churches joined together to form the Church of Pakistan, which includes Methodist, Anglican, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches.
Graana.com has prepared a list of churches in Pakistan below:
An Overview
The majority of the churches in Pakistan were built during British rule. As a result, they look very similar to churches in England. They have high towers, extensive round roofs, and curved glass windows. This unique architectural style gives these churches an impressive and outstanding look.
The architectural style of the churches tends to be uniform across the world, with some prominent features such as vaulted ceilings, bell towers, and arches. The churches in Pakistan represent a mix of traditional local architecture and the more universal architecture that is typical of the churches around the world.
Christians are the second largest religious group in Pakistan. The government has tried to keep these old churches safe and in good condition. It is incredible that some of these beautiful buildings, which show the Christian belief in Pakistan, have now been named national heritage sites.
Types of Churches
There are many different churches, each with unique beliefs and practices. Some of the most common types of churches include
| Type of Church | Description |
| Catholic Church | The largest Christian denomination in the world, led by priests and bishops, with a centralised hierarchy and belief in the authority of the Pope. |
| Protestant Church | Part of the Protestant Reformation, with a wide range of beliefs and practices, but generally shared a belief in the Bible as the sole authority for Christian faith and practice. Common types of Protestant churches include Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. |
| Eastern Orthodox Church, | The second largest Christian denomination in the world is led by patriarchs and metropolitans, with a decentralised hierarchy and belief in the authority of the seven ecumenical councils. |
| Oriental Orthodox Church, | A group of seven churches that broke away from the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century led by patriarchs, with a decentralised hierarchy and belief in the authority of the first three ecumenical councils. |
| Non-denominational Church | Not affiliated with any particular Christian denomination, with a wide range of beliefs and practices, but generally share a belief in the Bible as the sole authority for Christian faith and practice. |
Churches in Pakistan
Pakistan has 557 churches in total. These are scattered in various cities across the country. Some of these churches were built over 100 years ago, making them historically and culturally important. The oldest church in Pakistan is believed to be the Saint Joseph’s Church in Lahore, which was founded in 1842.
Being a historically significant city, Karachi has the highest number of churches in Pakistan, followed by Lahore and Rawalpindi. These churches not only serve as a place of worship for the Christian community but also as a place of community gathering where Christians come together to celebrate various religious celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. On religious occasions, these churches are lit up with decorative lighting and are embellished with several colourful ornaments.
List of Churches
Here is the list of churches in Pakistan organised city-wise:
| City | Church |
| Islamabad | Apostolic Charismatic Ministry ACM |
| Islamabad | Khatoon-e-Fatima Church (Our Lady of Fatima Church) |
| Islamabad | Lambs Church Assemblies of God Lambs Church AOG |
| Islamabad | Protestant International Church |
| Islamabad | St. Thomas Church |
| Islamabad | Full Gospel Assembly (FGA) Church Islamabad Full Gospel Assembly Church Islamabad |
| Lahore | Assembly of Believers |
| Lahore | The Methodist Church of Pakistan |
| Lahore | Church of Christ Ministries of Pakistan |
| Lahore | Church of St. Mary Magdalene |
| Lahore | Immaculate Conception Church |
| Lahore | Presbyterian Church |
| Lahore | Sacred Heart Cathedral |
| Lahore | St. Andrew’s Church |
| Lahore | St. Anthony’s Church |
| Lahore | St. James’ Church |
| Lahore | St. Joseph’s Church |
| Lahore | St. Mary’s Church |
| Abbottabad | St. Luke’s Church |
| Bahawalpur | St. Dominic’s Church |
| Bannu | St. George’s Church |
| Faisalabad | Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul |
| Faisalabad | The Jerusalem Methodist Church of Pakistan |
| Gojra | Sacred Heart Church |
| Haripur | St John’s Church |
| Gojra | Sacred Heart Church The Methodist Church |
| Hyderabad | St. Francis Xavier Cathedral |
| Hyderabad | St. Thomas Church |
| Karachi | Brooks Memorial Methodist Church |
| Karachi | Christ Church Drigh Road, Drigh Road |
| Karachi | Christ the King Church |
| Karachi | Church of Our Lady of Fatima |
| Karachi | Dr. Luke United Methodist Church, Safoora Goth |
| Karachi | Holy Trinity Cathedral |
| Karachi | International Church of Karachi |
| Karachi | Our Lady of Fatima Church |
| Karachi | Philadelphia Pentecostal Church |
| Karachi | Sacred Heart Church, Keamari |
| Karachi | St. Andrew’s Church, also known as Scotch Church |
| Karachi | St. Anthony’s Church, Cantt |
| Karachi | St. Anthony’s Church, Manora |
Other
| Karachi | St. Christopher’s Church |
| Karachi | St. Francis’ Church, Haji Camp |
| Karachi | St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Qayyumabad |
| Karachi | St. John’s Church, Drigh Colony |
| Karachi | St. Jude’s Church |
| Karachi | St. Mark United Methodist Church, Malir Cantt |
| Karachi | St. Lawrence’s Church |
| Karachi | St. Patrick’s Cathedral |
| Karachi | St Paul’s Parish, Azam Basti |
| Karachi | St. Theresa’s Church, Korangi Township |
| Karachi | Stella Maris Church, Korangi Creek |
| Kasur | Our Lady of Sorrows Church |
| Kotri | Christ Church United Methodist Hill Parish |
| Kotri | Immaculate Conception Church |
| Khushab | Emmanuel Church |
Khushab | Salvation Army Church |
Khushab | Church Quaidabad City Catholic |
| Multan | Cathedral of the Holy Redeemer |
| Multan | Cathedral of Resurrection |
| Multan | Poiema Christian Centre |
| Murree | Church of Seven Sorrows |
| Murree | Holy Trinity Church |
| Mianwali | Chashma Church Kundian Mianwali Catholic Church Chak |
| Nathiagali | St. Matthew’s Church |
| Peshawar | All Saints’ Church |
| Peshawar | St. John’s Cathedral |
| Peshawar | St. John’s Church |
| Peshawar | St Michael’s Church |
| Jhelum | St. John’s Church |
| Nowshera | Protestant Church |
| Nowshera | Protestant Church |
| Nowshera | CathedralChurch |
| Quetta | Holy Rosary Church |
| Quetta | St. Mary’s Church |
| Dunga Gali | St John’s Church, Dunga Gal |
| Dera Ismail Khan | St John’s Church Nasri Glorious Church |
| Rawalpindi | Christ Church Rawalpindi |
| Rawalpindi | Nicoll Memorial Church |
| Rawalpindi | Sacred Heart Church |
| Rawalpindi | St. Andrew’s Church |
| Rawalpindi | St. Joseph’s Cathedral |
| Rawalpindi | St. Mary’s Church |
| Rawalpindi | St. Paul’s Church |
| Rawalpindi | Holy Family Catholic Church |
| Rawalpindi | St. John’s Church |
| Sanghar | St. Paul’s Church, Sanghar |
| Sargodha | St Francis Xavier’s Church |
| Sialkot | Divine Family Church |
| Sialkot | True Way Ministries Church |
| Sukkur | St. Mary’s Church |
| Sukkur | St. Xavier’s Church |
| Thatta | John Wesley Methodist Church |
Famous Churches in Pakistan
The mentioned below are some of the historical and famous churches in Pakistan:
St. Paul’s Church, Rawalpindi
St. Paul’s Church in Rawalpindi, dating back to 1876, is one of the city’s oldest churches. Initially constructed for Scottish soldiers in the British Army’s Northern Command, it later came under the ownership of the Presbyterian Church following Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
Located opposite General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the church, originally featuring a red-brick exterior and wooden ceilings, was renovated and painted grey recently. Its main praying hall is adorned with large stained-glass windows depicting images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. With a capacity to accommodate nearly 800 worshipers at a time, St. Paul’s Church has been offering baptism services for over a century.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi
A church characterised by its unique red-brick building, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral adds to the architectural richness of the Karachi city. The church was built in 1881, making it one of the oldest churches in the country.
Its prominent features include arched windows with stained glass decorated with religious scenes, using high-contrast colours. The church also has a beautiful outdoor area with sculptures mounted on an elevated platform accessible by stairs. The church has an indoor seating capacity for up to 2,000 worshipers at a time.
St. John’s Cathedral, Peshawar
Constructed in the 1850s, the Saint John’s Cathedral in Peshawar city is another historical church in Pakistan. Similar to some of the other churches, this one was also constructed to cater to the British soldiers and their families who were stationed in this region. The church building is built using red bricks. The main features include a unique v-shaped ceiling and majestic chandeliers.
St. Matthew’s Church, Nathiagali
Another famous church in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region is Saint Matthew’s Church. Located in the scenic hill station of Nathia Gali, it is a picturesque cedarwood church surrounded by tall spruce trees. The church stands tall against the backdrop of lush green mountains, making it one of the most scenic churches. It is a popular tourist attraction accessible via a brief hike from the main Nathia Gali market.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Multan
The city of Multan is not short of historical architecture that is diverse in nature. The Saint Mary’s Cathedral adds to this rich architecture. Constructed in 1858, it is a magnificent red-brick church which has firmly established itself as one of the city’s largest and most ancient churches. It was originally constructed for British Army personnel in the region and currently serves as the residence of the Bishop of Multan.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore
Lahore, is renowned for its historical significance among different cultures and religions. It is no wonder that it also hosts one of the most famous churches in Pakistan. The Sacred Heart Cathedral stands firm as one of the most beautiful churches in the city. Characterised by multiple high towers and a dome, the church is an architectural masterpiece that attracts visitors from all over the country. It can accommodate up to 1,500 worshipers at a time.
FAQs
1. What are some famous churches in Pakistan?
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi
- Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore
- Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karachi
- St. Anthony’s Church in Lahore
- St. Mary’s Church in Rawalpindi
2. How old are the churches in Pakistan?
Many churches in Pakistan were built during the British colonial era, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. Are there any historic churches in Pakistan?
Yes, several churches in Pakistan are considered historic, including St. John’s Cathedral in Peshawar and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi.
4. What is the largest church in Pakistan?
The largest church in Pakistan is the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karachi, known for its impressive architecture and significance in the city.
5. How diverse is the Christian community in Pakistan?
Pakistan’s Christian community is diverse, with various denominations, including Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian, among others.
6. Are there any famous Christian festivals celebrated in Pakistan?
Yes, Christmas is a widely celebrated Christian festival in Pakistan, marked by church services, feasts, and gatherings.
7. Can tourists visit churches in Pakistan?
Yes, many churches in Pakistan are open to tourists, and visitors are often welcome to attend services or explore the architecture and history.
8. How has the Pakistani government supported the preservation of churches?
The Pakistani government has worked to preserve and renovate historic churches, recognizing their cultural and historical significance.
9. Are there any annual events or gatherings at churches in Pakistan?
Some churches in Pakistan host annual events, such as Christmas Eve services, Easter celebrations, and charity drives.
10. How can I donate to church-related charitable activities in Pakistan?
You can contribute to church-related charitable activities through local churches and charitable organisations or by contacting church authorities for more information.
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