# Dura-Europos house church (c. 232)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/232-dura-europos-house-church
Location: Dura-Europos, Syria
Themes: Architecture

A private house at Dura-Europos is converted into a church with a baptistery decorated with the oldest known Christian wall paintings. At this point in the timeline (c. 232), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Pontian (21 July 230 – 28 September 235). His claim was contested by Antipope Hippolytus.

## Why it matters
Dura-Europos house church mattered because it created a lasting landmark of Christian worship, art and pilgrimage.

Pope at the time: [Pope Pontian](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-pontian)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Dura-Europos church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dura-Europos_church)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Dura-Europos house church](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Dura-Europos+house+church)
- [Wikipedia — Early Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante-Nicene_period)