A delegation from National Assembly of Wales came to Christ Church Monday, February 25 to dedicate a plaque that remembers the deep ties between Wales and the Holy Land. The plaque made from Welsh slate commemorates the sacrifice of Welsh soldiers during World War I and the deep love that the Welsh traditionally have had for the people and land of the Bible.

Christ Church Jerusalem, a focal point of Protestantism in Jerusalem, is the natural place for this plaque as we have a long history with Wales. Welsh Christians help build Christ Church; Rev. Hugh Jones, our very beloved rector (1945-1964) was of Welsh descent; Welsh soldiers were stationed on our compound in 1929 and 1936, and more.

The vision for this memorial was conceived by Darren Millar, an assembly member representing Clwyd West in northern Wales. Together with Darren we hope that the plaque will not only attract Welsh pilgrims (and others) to the Christ Church compound to give thanks to God for the role that Gentile nations have played in the restoration of Israel, but also to contemplate the deep mystery of the ways in which the fate of Israel and the Nations is intertwined.

And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” – Isaiah 49:5-6