does anybody know if churches existed during or before Jesus? Or were they built after his death?

Answer 1

Warriorpooflinger speaks the truth.

There were great and good religions for thousands of years before JC. Many of them survived the yoke of Christianity and flourish today. Many are drawn to these as they have tired of the patriarchial churches of today.

Do No Harm is the number one rule.

Answer 2

The Church existed post-apostolic times -- It was a visible Church consisting of an authoritative body of bishops and lay people. The principle Sees were Rome, Jerusalem, & Antioch. In fact, there was a name given to this Church and was coined by the same Church who coined the name for the person who follows Chrisit (ie a Christian.):

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" Acts 11:26

This same Church writes Ignatius bishop of Antioch in AD 110:

"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out[through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is[administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude[of the people] also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude[of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."

Ignatius of Antioch,Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2(A.D. 110)

Answer 3

You must not be talking about Christian churches since you ask about their existance before Christ. Then the answer would be yes.

There was the tabernacle, the tent of meeting at mount Sinai, the synogogue were Jesus turned over the merchants tables.

If by church you mean a building to worship God then yes definately they existed before Jesus. Even the other cultures worshiped idol in buildings. Though the first church was built by God Himself, a place for man to meet with Him, it was alive the perfect place for God and man to be together, it was the garden of Eden.

Answer 4

Are you talking about Christian Churches or Any Churches? We need a better explaination on that.

Non-Christian Chuches have been around like forever. Since way before recorded human history.

Now, the first Catholic Churches (first Christian Churches) were created about 200-350 years after the ascension of Christ. However, before "churches", the faithful Catholics used to just gather at random places, perhaps a house of one of the Christians. Remember, Catholicism/Christianity wasn't even allowed in the Roman Empire until Constantine (around 300AD).

Good Question!
God Bless You.

Answer 5

Jesus came to gather "Israelite sheep's" he prayed for all his 33 years of life in synagogues ,

Churches were built about 300 years after Jesus ,

Answer 6

Churches was built even before Jesus was born.In fact,Jesus,when he was young went to temple or churches to hear the teaching of the priest.Until he was grown-up he teaches in the synagogue or church.

Answer 7

The Jews built synagogues which were a form of a church before Jesus' time.

After He died, believing Jews and believing Gentiles started "home churches" which eventually became actual churches.

Answer 8

They existed thousands of years before Jesus.

Answer 9

Churches, as we know them, were not built until nearly 300 years after Jesus was thought to have lived.

The early Christians met in secluded locations, often marked by the sign of the fish. Often these locations were in the catacombs.

Answer 10

Religion exhisted long before history began to be recorded. It was a tool of the ruling class to controll the populace and make people want to be good.