Saint Joseph Church (Beirut)

Saint Joseph Church is the Jesuit church of Saint Joseph University in Monot, Beirut, built in 1875, the year the university was founded after the Jesuit seminary of Ghazir moved to the capital. Dedicated to Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church and of the university, it has been the spiritual heart of USJ for 150 years and also serves as a venue for sacred and classical music concerts. Standing about 1.6 km from the port, the church was badly damaged by the explosion of 4 August 2020: around 95% of its stained glass was blown out, and its large wooden doors, woodwork, false ceiling and 19th-century tiled roof were damaged, though its walls held. It was restored the following year with support from Aid to the Church in Need. In March 2025, it hosted the solemn Mass for the university's 150th anniversary, during which the Apostolic Nuncio read a blessing from Pope Francis, and a photographic exhibition on USJ's history opened in its crypt.