In 1863, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land gained title to a plot of ground close to the tomb of Lazarus.

[2] Between 1952 and 1953 a modern church dedicated to St. Lazarus and designed by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi was built on this property.

[2] About twenty-five metres up a hill northwest of the church is the modern entrance to the traditional tomb of Lazarus.

The soaring higher elements, crowned by the dome with its flood of light, suggests the joy of intense hope and optimism.

[2] The church is named after the West Bank town of al-Eizariya, identified with biblical Bethany.