d. Church of the Arch

Church of the arch

Church of the arch

A structure built of well-dressed sandstone blocks. The general shape of the structure is rectangular, its dimensions are approximately 13.5m EW and 9m N-S.

Many parts of this building have disappeared, especially the upper courses, the walls and part of the floor, with only limited portions still preserved. What remains are a few stones resting on a lime-plastered surface overlying carefully prepared rubble stones and gray to dark ashy mortar that resembled the bedding cement of the structure.

Church of the arch

only a small portion in the southeastern corner of the church is still in situ. The fill contained fragments of lime with some mosaic tesserae still adhering to it. Impressions on the mortar bedding and the springs of arches indicate that a system of arches was used to support the roof of the structure. It is clear that the structure represents a small chapel located near the southwestern corner of Tell Al-Kharrar (Elijah‟ s Hill). The chapel had three arches to support the roof.

The 5th -6th Century mosaic floor in the Church of Pope John Paul II

The prayer hall

Prayer hall

It’s located down the slope of Elijah’s hill and near its southern corner. It is a rectangular structure, measuring 10.70 ×7.40m, built of undressed field stones. A plain white mosaic pavement covered its floor, while the roof was probably made of wood and reeds. The excavator thinks that based on its construction and location it may have functioned as a prayer hall or chapel. It could date from before the fourth century AD (Mikhjian 2005: 407). If so, it might be the earliest worship facility at the site.

Prayer hall chapel material

White mosaic

undressed field stones