St Paul’s Church (Bebekli Church)

St Paul’s Church (Bebekli Church)

Located in the heart of Adana, St. Paul Church, also known as Bebekli Kilise, is a Catholic church situated near 5 Ocak Square and Cemal Gürsel Street.

The church earned the nickname "Church with Baby" (Bebekli Kilise) due to a 2.5 meter high bronze statue of Mary that, to passersby, resembled an infant. This unique feature of the church has made it easily recognizable among locals and visitors alike.

St Paul’s Church (Bebekli Church)

Dedicated to St. Paul, Bebekli Church pays homage to Saul of Tarsus, better known as St. Paul the Apostle, a prominent figure in Christian teachings. Born in Tarsus, which is in close proximity to Adana, St. Paul devoted his life to spreading the Christian faith, embarking on three extensive journeys to educate people about the religion. Although he was executed by the Romans for his endeavors to spread the Gospel among Jews and Gentiles, his legacy remains through the symbol of the Church.

Today, Bebekli Church caters to the Catholic and Orthodox communities of Adana. In order to generate revenue for the church, the garden area has been repurposed into a parking lot.