The Nazareth Trust

Healing in the name of Jesus since 1861
+44 (0)131 225 9957

Our History

Healing in the name of Jesus since 1861

160 years in the hometown of Jesus

1861
1861

Hospital Founded

Hospital Founded

Dr Kaloost Vartan heads to Nazareth to set up a medical clinic.

1867
1867

Hospital Opens

An eight-bed hospital and dispensary are opened.

1871
1871

Leaving Edinburgh

Leaving Edinburgh

Mary Anne departs Edinburgh for Nazareth with her husband Dr Kaloost Vartan. A larger complex is found, and an 18-bed hospital and dispensary are opened.

1904
1904

Land Purchased

The Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society grants funds the purchase of 25 acres of land on a hill west of the city for the building of a new hospital.

1912
1912

Building complete

The first hospital building is completed.

1921
1921

New buildings

New buildings are established to accommodate new services and the increasing patient load.

1924
1924

School of Nursing Founded

School of Nursing Founded

The School of Nursing is founded, the vision for which was pioneered by Dr William Bathgate.

1950
1950

Israeli Government approval

The Israeli government agrees to pay for the clinical services provided by the hospital.

1956
1956

New wards built

The hospital consists of a male and a female ward. Under the new administrator, the hospital is developed to provide specialised departments and existing departments are refurbished. New departments include..Read More

1969
1969

Maternity Facilities

New maternity facilities are created at the hospital in addition to dialysis and physiotherapy services.

1988
1988

New legislation

Universal National Health Insurance is introduced in Israel. New legislation is introduced requiring medical practitioners to be able to read and write in Hebrew, having an impact on many of..Read More

1997
1997

Work begins on Nazareth Village

Work on the Nazareth Village development project begins.

2000
2000

The village opens

The village opens

Nazareth Village officially opens. Over a million tourists and pilgrims have visited in the two decades since.

2010
2010

Great developments

Great developments

SERVE Nazareth Volunteer Programme established The School of Nursing is officially academized EMMS Nazareth begins operating under the name ‘The Nazareth Trust’. SERVE Nazareth launches short-term missions programme.

2014
2014

First Jesus Trail

First Jesus Trail

• First Jesus Trail walk takes place to bring supporters to Nazareth and raise funds for the hospital. • The School of Nursing celebrates 90 years of providing nursing education.

2015
2015

The village joins the trust

The village joins the trust

The Nazareth Village fully moves under the jurisdiction of The Nazareth Trust.

2017
2017

BA Nursing launched

BA Nursing launched

The School of Nursing launches a new BA Nursing programme.

2019
2019

Neonatal Unit Recognition

Neonatal Unit Recognition

The Hospital’s Neonatal Unit is recognised as being one of the best in Israel.

2020
2020

Beginnings and Endings

Beginnings and Endings

International Pastoral Care Programme launched. Nazareth Hospital serves as the primary care facility for COVID-19 patients in Nazareth during the global pandemic. Dr Amal Khazin retires after 25 years as..Read More

2021
2021

160 years

160 years

The Nazareth Hospital and Nazareth Trust celebrate 160 years of service.

2022
2022

Scottish Parliament Event

Scottish Parliament Event

The Nazareth Trust celebrates 160 years of medical provision in Nazareth at Holyrood, sponsored by Jackson Carlaw MSP.

2022

Expansion of Dialysis Unit

Expansion of Dialysis Unit

On Monday, 20th June, we gathered at the Nazareth Hospital Bernath Auditorium to celebrate the opening of the new Dialysis Department named after the Reverend Canon Shafiq A. Farah (1923-2002).

2022

School of Nursing Expansion Begins

School of Nursing Expansion Begins

At the beginning of July 2022, construction works began towards the expansion of the Nazareth Academic School of Nursing.

2024
2024

100 Years

100 Years

The Nazareth Academic School of Nursing celebrates 100 years of providing nursing education.