St George’s Church, Baghdad is the only active Anglican Church in Iraq. It was built in 1936 as a memorial to the many of soldiers of the British Empire who lost their lives in Mesopotamia in the First World War.

For part of its history, St. George’s functioned as a church for expatriates, yet at present the congregation is all Iraqis. The Church stopped functioning after the first Gulf War but Canon Andrew White was allowed to take services after beginning work in Iraq from 1998 onwards.

Following the 2003 invasion, the church was mainly used for services by diplomats and the military. However, following the outbreak of the insurgency, the situation soon became too dangerous and military and political figures could no longer leave the Green Zone to enter the church. Meanwhile, the decrease in Coalition presence was supplemented by an increasing number of Iraqis who started coming to the church chiefly because it became too dangerous for them to travel to their own services.

The security situation in Iraq continues to affect the congregation and currently several armed guards keep watch over the building and safeguard during services. A bus collects most members and brings them to the church helping avoid the threat of kidnapping. Despite preventive efforts, the reality of violence remains. Several weeks ago a potential suicide bomber came into the church but was removed by security before the bombs exploded. More recently, there was a bomb outside the church killing four people. The US Army has now surrounded the church with huge concrete barriers and announced that everybody who comes in must be searched. Occasionally all services in Baghdad are cancelled because of security concerns.

Tragically, in September 2005 all of the lay church leaders were kidnapped and killed yet, despite the loss, the congregation continues to grow. The church members keep in good heart and continue to develop as a church body. It is a most wonderful gathering of people from many different backgrounds. Following the death of the initial leadership, a new team has been established in which women are playing a central role. Tragedy struck again in May of 2007 as one of the new lay leaders was kidnapped, after paying a large ransom he was freed several days later. Maged is now the courageously serving as main lay leader and we hope he continues to do so. Despite all the difficulties, the church is one of the few which continues to expand and grow with a congregation well over 1,000 members. A branch of the Mothers’ Union was established on Easter Day of 2006 and many other services are continually offered for the congregation. Amidst much trouble and heartbreak the Church continues to prosper and grow as has throughout the millennia – proving that persecution and violence can never prevent of the good news of Christ.