The church was inaugurated in November 2001 as part of the Vicariate of Arabia, presently pastored by Bishop Paul Hinder. Residents of the parish are of many nationalities from around the world, living mainly as expatriates in Dubai. The church is situated just off Sheikh Zayed Road in Jebel Ali. The original Jebel Ali is situated on a small mountain in the desert. The name itself means ‘Little Mountain’. It is easily accessible from The Gardens/Ibn Battuta Mall and from the Jebel Ali Village interchanges.[1]
History
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was in the territory of St. Mary’s Church, Dubai, where the Rev. Fr. Daniel Cerofolini OFM Cap was the parish priest. He blessed and laid the foundation stone on 4 October 2000. The construction of the entire church building was done within a period of one year. The church was consecrated on 15 November 2001 by Archbishop Giuseppe de Andrea, the Apostolic Delegate of Arabian Peninsula. Almost 3,000 people took part in the ceremony.[2]
The following are the priests who have served the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jebel Ali since it came into existence:[citation needed]
The parish land area is 50,000 ft2. It comprises a single building of three parts. The church is adjoined by the Assisi Parish Hall. There is also a systematically constructed Padua Centre with 15 halls, which can be used for catechesis and prayer meetings. The residential area and the office are another part of the construction. The plan and the architecture also provide basement parking spaces for 70 cars.[citation needed]
^"St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE". stfrancisjebelali.ae. UAE. Archived from the original on 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2006-10-21."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2018-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"History". Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE: St. Francis of Assisi Church. Archived from the original on 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
