All about the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai
Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, faiths and traditions, where people from all backgrounds live together in harmony. Among its diverse religious landmarks, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai stands as a symbol of the city’s rich multicultural fabric. Established in 1967, this church is one of the region’s oldest and largest Catholic parishes, offering a spiritual home to over half a million worshippers.
If you wish to learn more about Dubai St Mary’s Church, this guide has everything you need to know.
ALL ABOUT SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH DUBAI
The journey of Dubai St Mary’s Church began in the early 1960s when the UAE was on the brink of transformation following the discovery of oil. At the time, there were no Catholic churches in the UAE, and priests from Bahrain’s Sacred Heart Church would travel to Dubai to conduct religious services in private homes.
Recognising the need for a dedicated place of worship, then Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Late), generously donated land for the construction of the first Catholic church in Dubai. Under the guidance of Fr. Eusebio Daveri, construction began, and in 1967, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai was officially inaugurated.
Today, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai Oud Metha Road remains a key religious and community hub for Catholics across the UAE. With over 350,000 parishioners, it is one of the largest Catholic churches in Dubai. The church holds daily and weekend masses in over 12 languages, including English, Arabic, French, Malayalam, Tamil, Tagalog and Portuguese.
FACILITIES AT ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DUBAI
Apart from religious services, the church plays an active role in community welfare. It offers various educational, social and charitable programmes, making it a place of worship and a centre for personal and spiritual growth. The premises include:
- A main church for regular services
- A parish office for administrative matters
- St. Mary’s Catholic High School, one of the UAE’s leading English-medium schools
- Sports facilities, including a football pitch and basketball court
- Event spaces for community gatherings and celebrations
ST. MARY’S CHURCH DUBAI MASS TIMINGS
The most popular and busy masses in the St Mary’s Dubai Church are held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you plan to attend a service, here are the latest St. Mary’s Church Dubai mass timings:
Regular English Mass Timings in St Mary’s Church Dubai
- Friday
- 06:00 am
- 06:45 am
- 12:00 pm
- 05:00 pm
- 07:00 pm
- Saturday
- 06:00 am
- 07:15 am
- 09:00 am
- 12:00 pm (Children’s Mass)
- 03:00 pm (Children’s Mass)
- 04:30 pm
- 07:30 pm
- Sunday
- 06:00 am
- 07:30 am
- 09:00 am
- 10:15 am
- 03:30 pm
- 04:45 pm
- 06:15 pm
- Monday to Thursday
- 06:00 am
- 06:45 am
- 12:00 pm
- 07:00 pm
Please note that the masses are also available in multiple languages. For a full schedule, check the official website.
SACRAMENTS OFFERED AT THE ST MARY’S CHURCH DUBAI
The church offers all major sacraments, ensuring spiritual guidance at every stage of life:
- Baptism: The first sacrament of Christian life, performed for infants and new believers. Parents and godparents must attend preparation classes.
- Confession: Available daily during mass hours, confession allows Catholics to seek forgiveness and spiritual renewal.
- Confirmation: A two-year catechism programme prepares young Catholics (starting from Grade 7) to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Eucharist: Catholics wishing to receive the Holy Eucharist must do so in a state of grace, free from mortal sin.
- Holy Orders: This sacrament is for those called to priesthood or religious service, including deacons, priests and bishops.
- Marriage: The Church requires couples to complete a Marriage Preparation Course before their wedding. This ensures they understand the sanctity of matrimony and are spiritually prepared for their union.
- Anointing of the Sick: This sacrament provides spiritual healing and strength to those who are seriously ill or facing surgery.
FAQs
WHAT ARE ST. MARY’S CHURCH DUBAI TIMINGS?
If you plan to visit the church, it is open daily from 08:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 04:00 pm to 08:30 pm.
WHERE IS ST. MARY’S CHURCH DUBAI LOCATED?
The St. Mary’s Church in Dubai is located on Oud Metha Road, right opposite the Indian High School.
How can I contact ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN DUBAI?
If you require any information, you can contact the St. Mary’s Parish Office at +971-4-337-0087 | +971-4-335-8504 or email office@saintmarysdubai.org
How can I reach St. Mary’s Church using public transport?
St. Mary’s Church is well-connected by Dubai’s public transport network.
- Metro: Oud Metha Metro Station (Green Line) is the closest station.
- Bus: Routes X23, X25, C4, F18, C7, C18, 28 and 44 stop near the church.
Are there any community events or activities at St. Mary’s Church?
The church hosts multiple community events and activities, including family events such as a Christmas tree lighting and a parish feast. The upcoming events include a Baptism Online Seminar, a Parish Lenten Retreat and a Wedding Anniversary Mass.
That completes this quick guide on St. Mary’s Church in Dubai.
The St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai is not just a church but a testament to the progressive vision the UAE’s rulers had for the country. Another key Catholic place of worship in the city is St. Francis of Assisi Church or Jebel Ali Church, conveniently located in Jebel Ali beside Dubai Mar Thoma Church.
You can find churches in Abu Dhabi as well as churches in Sharjah serving the different Christian communities in those emirates.
From mosques to temples and churches, follow MyBayut to know more about worship places in the UAE.
