The presence of Protestant Christians in Algeria dates back to the French colonial era, when a number of churches were built. However, after the country gained independence in 1962, many of these buildings were given to other purposes. … Now, Protestants in cities like Béjaïa and Mostaganem are petitioning for their old churches to be returned.

The Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) has reaffirmed its desire to regain control of several former churches used today for other purposes.

Christians are the distinct minority in Algeria, representing less than 1% of Algeria’s 38 million inhabitants, and often face restrictions when seeking to build new churches.

The presence of Protestant Christians in Algeria dates back to the French colonial era, when a number of churches were built.

However, after the country gained independence in 1962, many of these buildings were given to other purposes.

One example is the temple of Mostaganem in the north-west of the country, which became a clinic in 1976.

In January 2012, the clinic moved locations and the EPA sent one of its members to guard the premise in the hope of restoring the building to its former use.

However, local authorities ordered the closure of the premises and the expulsion of EPA members, instead allowing a charity to move into the building.

The EPA filed a complaint against both the local authorities and the charity.

“Instead of returning the temple, located in the city centre, to the EPA, local authorities have just given it to a charity,” Pastor Mustapha Krim, EPA President, told World Watch Monitor.

“The occupants broke in and changed the locks,” he said.

The situation of Mostaganem is not an isolated case. In the north-eastern city of Béjaïa, a temple (pictured left) once belonging to the Evangelical Reformed Church (now the EPA), was given by local authorities to the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) after the church’s pastor fell seriously ill and returned to France.

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