Co-ordinates: 9° 22' 30" N, 39° 23' 07" E

Location:

The church is located on a small mountain, southwest of Kotu Town. The church is carved into the west face of an outcrop and the site includes two separate prayer chambers to the south. The built church of Wontu Medhane Alem is visible across the low valley.

 

Site Description:

(by Tarn Philipp)

 

Church Description

There was no pre-existing church at the site. The recent excavation was initiated by three young men; Abraham, Binyam and Haile Maryam, following a vison. Neither of the men had any experience and they began by carving two prayer chambers, now south of the new church. The church was carved from November 2009 to January 2010 (or March 2002 to May 2002, Ethiopian Calendar). Abba Wolde Eyesus, the craftsman responsible for the new church at Wontu Medhane Alem, was involved in completing the church.

The exposed west elevation is built and includes a central entrance. Within, is a circular chamber resembling a cave. The ceiling of this chamber is gently domed and includes two large holes overhead, some 800mm deep and covered with corrugated iron. A large recessed cross is carved on the south wall and hung cloth conceals a metal door to the inner church. This entrance is arched and descends by a single step into the west of the church. The inner church is formed by three chambers rather than individual bays. The west chamber is the widest and includes two arched entrances to the middle chamber, which in turn has three arched entrances to the east chamber or maqdas. The floor and ceiling are flat throughout although the chambers vary in height. The church houses three tabots; Kristos Semra, Tekle Haimanot and Maryam.

 

Getting There:

Take the road east of Sembo town on the Dabre Berhan - Addis Ababa road. A five-minute drive brings one to Kotu Town. The church is south west of Kotu and a thirty-minute walk across fields. The path descends from Kotu and then rises slightly to reach the church.