St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai, Catholic church in Oud Metha district, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
St. Mary's is a Catholic church in the Oud Metha district that encompasses a larger complex with a school building, staff residences, and recreational facilities. The site includes basketball and football courts along with spaces for community gathering and various religious activities.
The original structure was established in 1967 after land was donated by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to serve the growing community. The building was later reconstructed in 1989 and expanded to accommodate a larger number of worshippers.
The congregation celebrates services in twelve languages including Arabic, English, French, Malayalam, Tagalog, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Urdu to serve its diverse population. This multilingual approach makes the place a meeting point for believers from different countries and backgrounds.
The church is located opposite a school and is easily accessible via the Oud Metha Metro Station, with various service times throughout the week. Visitors should check current opening hours and visit guidelines, especially if planning to come outside of regular worship times.
The parish counts over 350,000 registered parishioners, making it the largest Catholic parish in the Middle East. This remarkable size reflects Dubai's diverse population and the long presence of the Catholic Church in the region.
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