Alex
The Civic Church at Pella, Jordan, is one of the most prominent Byzantine-era structures within the ancient city. Believed to have been constructed in the late 5th or early 6th century AD, this large basilica-style church served as a central place of worship for the local Christian community during the Byzantine period. Its placement near the Roman collonaded street underscores its importance in the civic and religious life of the city. Excavations have revealed a three-aisled layout with a central nave flanked by columns, mosaic flooring, and remnants of an apse—typical architectural elements of early Christian churches in the region.
The Civic Church was likely a key gathering place for worship and community events, reflecting Pella’s transition from a pagan Greco-Roman city to a Christian centre. The presence of this significant ecclesiastical building amid Roman and Hellenistic ruins highlights the layered history of the site. Though now in ruins, the foundations and partial reconstructions of the church provide insight into its scale and design. It stands today as a powerful symbol of the religious and cultural transformations that shaped Jordan during Late Antiquity.
