THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY IN BETHLEHEM

The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem is the only major church in the Holy Land that survives intact from the early Christian period.  This feature traces the church from its construction by Constantine the Great to the present and draws attention to the parlous condition of this unique and historic building.

Bethlehem lies on a saddle, 2,500 feet above sea level, and the ancient church is situated near its centre.  Today the town has a population of over 60,000.