As early sunlight touches the Murree Galiyat ridge and the mist thins along the pines, a thin spire appears at Kashmir Point. Just a few turns ahead, in Nathia Gali, a small cedar-wood chapel comes into view: St. Matthew’s Church. Its timbers have mellowed with age, the bell and benches worn by time, yet the church still opens its doors daily.
A Muslim caretaker unlocks the entrance, cleans the pews, checks the bell rope, and rings it to invite visitors inside. For three generations, this family has served as custodians of a Christian house of prayer. It is a quiet but powerful story of interfaith stewardship, where neighbors take care of a church as their own.
A Relic of the British Raj
St. Matthew’s was completed in 1914 during the British Raj, when colonial administrators built churches, schools, and homes in these hills to escape the summer heat. The structure is simple yet resilient, built of native cedar wood without nails, allowing it to be dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere if needed.
On clear mornings, the church offers sweeping views of valleys; on foggy days, it appears to float among the clouds. Inside, wooden pews, old beams, and brass fixtures create a calm setting. Light filters through uneven glass panes, while dusting and sweeping keep the interior alive.
The Church Has Been Cared for Generations
For the Muslim family who tends to it, stewardship is a matter of devotion. Murad, the third-generation caretaker, said:
“Both of my grandfathers had 25 years, my father 42. I am a third generation, with nearly 30 years in. This is a church that was put up in 1914. I ring the bell and candle light on Christmas. To me, taking care of a house of prayer also becomes ibadat.”
Outside, Christian elders often meet Murad at the door. They shake hands, exchange smiles, and step in together. To them, this quiet routine is proof of harmony.
“I was born, raised here. My father was employed by the British in these hills. We’ve coexisted. This church commemorates the memory of our forefathers, and we feel that it will preserve the memory of our children as well,” one Christian elder explained.
For many Christian families in Nathia Gali, St. Matthew’s is more than a building. Imtiaz Masih, now 75, recalled:
“These hills have been the home of my family for a little over a hundred years. My whole life in this country has not presented even a single problem to us due to our faith. The Muslim people care and nurture us, and they welcome us during Christmas, and we reciprocate the same during Eid and other events. To me the St. Matthew was more than a building, as it also represents our memory and how this valley has learned to co-exist.”
Their community is small but deeply rooted. Families work as teachers, clerks, and shopkeepers. Festivals are celebrated together, neighbors shovel snow for churchgoers in winter, and shop owners place out chairs in summer. The church is described as a “living family album.”
Sohaila Bibi, a Muslim resident, reflected on this shared heritage:
“Islam and Christianity exist in our sacred volumes, there should be no discrimination in sects and religions. My husband is in the education sector at Nathia Gali. After 7-8 years, I came and I can see some changes. The government should continue to restore places such as this.”
For locals, maintaining the church is not only about faith but also about heritage tourism. Tea stalls outside, guides for hire, and hotels nearby sustain livelihoods.
Protecting a Landmark
Today, St. Matthew’s is recognized as one of the oldest surviving colonial churches in the region. It remains open year-round, drawing both domestic and international visitors. Restoration efforts focus on drainage repairs, timber treatment against harsh winters, bilingual signage, and respectful security to ensure it remains welcoming to all.
Imran, a tour operator with the Galiyat Development Authority, said, “I am the tour operator at Galiyat Development Authority, Nathia Gali. The church is a treasure of Pakistani history and culture, which you can see standing behind me. Tourists from all parts of Pakistan, as well as international tourists, go and visit this church due to its heritage and beautiful design, which has been standing for a long period of time.”
In Nathia Gali, the ringing of the church bell joins the call to prayer in the same mountain air. Here, a church built in 1914, cared for by a Muslim family, continues to symbolize coexistence.
Each morning, the key turns, pews are dusted, and candles are lit or put out. St. Matthew’s stands as living evidence that heritage, when cared for by neighbors together, becomes more than history—it becomes a shared future.