missions
Iran Shutters Country’s Oldest Protestant Church
Summary by Christgiving Editorial Desk Joyce Garcia , Christianity Today
· July 21, 2026
· 1 min read
For 150 years, St. Peter Evangelical Church has maintained a visible and vibrant presence in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Mansour Khajehpour—a former elder at St. Peter—said the Presbyterian church was known to everyone in the neighborhood, where he lived from 1991 to 1993. As a university student
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Summary created by Christgiving Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Joyce Garcia, Christianity Today Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Peter—said the Presbyterian church was known to everyone in the neighborhood, where he lived from 1991 to 1993.
Why this matters
The closure of St. Peter Evangelical Church, Iran's oldest Protestant church, has significant implications for the country's already beleaguered Christian minority. As a prominent Presbyterian church in Tehran, St. Peter's 150-year presence has been a notable exception in a predominantly Shia Muslim country. The church's visibility and vibrancy in the neighborhood, as described by former elder Mansour Khajehpour, suggest a level of tolerance that may be eroding. This development may be seen as part of a broader trend of increased restrictions on religious freedom in Iran, which could have far-reaching consequences for Christian charities and ministries operating in the region. The shutdown may also affect the work of ECFA-accredited nonprofits and relief organizations that have been supporting Christian communities in Iran, highlighting the need for continued support and advocacy for persecuted Christians globally.
About this story
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Category: missions Published: July 21, 2026 Source: Christianity Today Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For 150 years, St. Peter Evangelical Church has maintained a visible and vibrant presence in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Mansour Khajehpour—a former elder at St. Peter—said the Presbyterian church was known to everyone in the neighborhood, where he lived from 1991 to 1993. As a university student
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by Christianity Today and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joyce Garcia at Christianity Today. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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