The Catholic Church of St. Peter with its slender bell tower is one of the most noticeable buildings in Old Jaffa. Built in Baroque style in pink brick, it is, moreover, still very nice.

The dedication of the Church of the apostles Chapter called specific reason: in these places has been a wonderful event, associated with the name of Peter. In Jaffa he was brought tear the request of the followers of Christ – they called the Apostle to the Oder just deceased female. Tabitha was a good Christian, which gave much alms. "The acts of the apostles we talk about the future: "but Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body said, Tabitha! stand up. And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up" (acts 9:40).

After that Peter stayed in the house of Simon the Tanner, located nearby, "under the sea". It was here during the time of prayer was to the Apostle a voice from the sky, which determined the fate of Christianity, "What God has cleansed you must not call unclean".So God revealed to Peter that it is impossible to read any man common or unclean." From that moment the Saint became an ardent supporter of preaching the word of God among the Gentiles.

The Church at its present location was built in 1654 on the foundations of the medieval citadel of the thirteenth century. In the late eighteenth century, the temple was twice destroyed and twice rebuilt, each time changing the appearance. The current building dates to the late nineteenth century. However, it includes the remains of the citadel of St. Louis, located near the sacristy. It is two rooms with low ceilings and narrow Windows-embrasures. It is believed that it was here in 1799, during his middle East military campaign, the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The interior of the Church is unusual for the Middle East: high vaulted ceiling, stained glass Windows and a marble-clad building is more reminiscent of European cathedrals. On the stained-glass Windows made in Munich, depicts the major episodes in the life of St. Peter: miraculous catch of fish, the presence at the Transfiguration of Christ, the presentation of the Lord to Peter the keys to heaven, the washing of feet during the last Supper, the resurrection of Tabitha. Altar painting illustrates an episode with the vision in the house of Simon the Tanner. You should pay attention to the carved pulpit in the form of a tree.

Under the pastoral care of the Church of the Franciscans, whose active presence in the Holy Land runs from the thirteenth century. In 1342 Pope Clement VI declared the Franciscan custodians of the Holy places. On the Western façade of the Church you can see the emblem of the order: in the oval cartouche – two hands, one belongs to Jesus Christ, the other to St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the order.

The legend says that the first Church was built here by the crusaders, perpetuating the very place where once stood a modest house of Simon the Tanner. If so, it is impossible to say. But the Church's bell tower, visible from the sea, pilgrims from afar shore, where he made his miraculous work of the Holy Peter.