“A humble beginning” whispers the wind through the stained-glass windows of the Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc. This unassuming building in Casablanca holds a remarkable story. It stands as a testament to faith’s resilience. The Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc wasn’t always here in its current form.
The church’s roots trace back to 1907. That year saw the first Reformed Church of France service. It was held within Casablanca’s English chapel. By 1927 Protestantism had touched over 450 families. They organized in ten locations. A strong temple stood in Rabat. All the Reformed Protestants were of European descent then. This was during the French Protectorate of Morocco.
By 1935 the church adopted its current name. It boasted 3000 members. Most were French or Swiss. Independence brought changes. Europeans left. The church’s faithful dwindled. Regular services continued only in Rabat and Casablanca. By 1990 only two pastors remained. All temples were sold and closed.
Yet the Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc didn’t disappear. African students and some European retirees joined. Protestantism in Morocco remains a small minority. Islam constitutes around 93% of the population. Yet the Christian faith is growing especially since the 1990s. It’s fueled by sub-Saharan migrants and students. It also includes Moroccan converts and some expatriates. Today the Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc thrives. It has seven full-time pastors and around ten in training. It’s linked to the Community of Evangelical Churches of French Expression Abroad. Since 2004 it is also linked to the Community of Churches in Mission.
The Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc is more than just a building. It is a vibrant community. It reflects Morocco’s diversity and the enduring power of faith. It organizes services in eleven Moroccan cities. These include Rabat Tangier Casablanca Agadir Mohamedia Kenitra Tetouan Fes Marrakech Meknes and Oujda. The church provides biblical education. It also offers Sunday school for children. Clergy receive training at the Al Mowafaqa Institute in Rabat. This institute is a joint Catholic-Protestant initiative. The Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc has youth and women’s groups.
So as you stand before the Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc. Remember its journey. It’s a story of perseverance adaptation and unwavering faith. A quiet place of worship in Casablanca. This church tells a powerful story. It’s a story of survival and growth. A symbol of hope in a changing world. A testament to the enduring power of faith. It’s more than a place of worship. It’s a living community. A true reflection of Morocco’s vibrant cultural tapestry.