Sacred Heart Church

Sacred Heart Church is a Catholic church in central Manama, Bahrain, serving the country's large Christian community, which includes many Filipino, Indian and other expatriate worshippers. Bahrain is one of the few Gulf states with long-established churches, and the compound is a quiet contrast to the commercial streets around it. Visitors can see the church building, its courtyard and the notice boards listing Mass times in several languages. The interior is simple, with pews, an altar, statues and stained-glass details, and the atmosphere is calm outside service times. A visit takes about 30 minutes. Mass schedules are posted at the gate, and Friday, the main weekly day of worship in Bahrain, is the busiest, when the compound fills with worshippers; visitors should avoid those times unless attending a service. Mid-morning outside service times is the best moment to look around quietly. Entry is free and modest dress is expected, with shoulders and knees covered. Photography of the exterior is generally acceptable, but visitors should not photograph worshippers or take pictures during services, and should ask permission before photographing the interior. A taxi or Careem from Bab Al Bahrain takes about five minutes, and the location can be found by searching Sacred Heart Church Bahrain in Google Maps. The church can be added to a walk through central Manama alongside Manama Souq and the Shri Krishna Temple to see the city's religious diversity.