By Peter Townson
THE construction of the Protestant ‘Church of the Epiphany’ is to begin at its new site next month, according to Anglican priest Father Bill Schwartz, who is overseeing the QR35mn project.
The church is to host all the Protestants in Qatar, including a number of different denominations and nationalities.
“For this reason, the project is more of a complex than a single building,” explained Father Schwartz, adding: “We do have the main building, but off to the side of that will be a number of other meeting rooms, where different groups will be able to worship simultaneously, without disturbing each other.”
Schwartz described how the government had presented the land as a gift, and wanted that the church will provide a worshipping space for all Protestants in the country, including the Filipino, Nigerian, American and European communities, among many others. And the new facility will be able to house nine separate groups at the same time, with a number of rooms able to hold 50, 100 and 250 people, and the main building having a capacity of 750.
“We have to raise the funds for the construction to go ahead, and we have held a number of fund-raisers, and are currently planning a number of other events,” he said, before explaining how those interested in offering financial support can do so in the US and the UK, through the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, or by donating through Paypal in the US.
“The building work has been divided into three stages, with the first set to be completed by summer of next year,” explained Schwartz, who said that the first stage will provide worshippers with two halls to hold up to 250 people, as well as educational facilities for children, residences and some office space.
Schwartz pointed out that the Protestant and Catholic facilities will be very different because Catholics do not need separate buildings for other denominations as they worship in the same way. 
“Our facility will also be smaller, as there are many more Catholics in Qatar at the moment,” he said.
Things are certainly moving forward for the church, and Schwartz is excited about the future and the eventual opening of the church.  He himself has some 35 years of experience of living in the Middle East, providing him with valuable experience and insight into a number of different communities. 
As the church’s website, www.epiphany-qatar.org declares: “We understand our role as community to be inclusive, welcoming, and mutually supportive. We recognise that expatriates are far away from family and friends, and hope that the Church of the Epiphany can be a local representation of family and certainly a place to find and make friendships.”
People interested in offering financial support can find further information by contacting the chairman of the fund raising committee, Michael Cole at building@epiphany-qatar.org or on 552-2824.
Details can be had from Reverend Canon Bill Schwartz at rector@epiphany-qatar.org or on 5146706.