On the church's outer wall, you'll find remnants of a 5th-6th Century Byzantine mosaic floor and stone carvings unearthed during 1916 digs. A lintel, visible on the left, bears the inscription “DIAKONIKON STEPHANOU PROTOMARTYROS,” signifying it as the archive for St. Stephen’s relics. This discovery came from work done between 1989-1999 by Italian archaeologist Andrej Struss, near a site 800m northwest from the monastery. Initially a martyrium, the site later became a wine-press.

Inside, vibrant paintings narrate St. Stephen's life and martyrdom. The altar faces east, conforming to church tradition. Prominently, a painting on the northwest wall depicts St. Stephen's trial, as described in Acts 6:11-15. These art pieces are the work of Luigi Poggi and Emile Ritz, representing different Christian traditions. Another painting shows Stephen being stoned, with his halo highlighted.

Paul is seen witnessing the stoning in the background, as per Acts 7:58. Below that, paintings depict Stephen as “Proto-Martyr” in Greek. The church also houses a crypt accessible from the lower right, beneath which Roman 1st Century tombs of Stephen and others are believed to be located. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Society, is honored in a niche with intricate mosaic-like decorations.

The history of Beit Jimal Monastery is a tapestry of religious, cultural, and political threads that spans multiple eras. Originally a Muslim village incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, it became a site of interest to Christians in the late 19th century. Fr. Antonio Belloni established an agricultural school there in 1873, which later transformed into an orphanage managed by the Salesians, a religious society founded by Don Bosco.

In the British Mandate era, the population diversified to include Christians and Muslims. The 1948 Arab–Israeli War marked a significant transition, culminating in the possession of the area by the Society of St Francis de Sales. Now, the monastery campus also includes two more monasteries for men and women belonging to the Monastic Family of Bethlehem. They lead lives of prayer and work, producing local goods like honey and olive oil.

St. Stephen church, built in 1930, rests on Byzantine ruins and showcases historical mosaics. Despite its peaceful mission, the monastery has faced dark times, including acts of vandalism and terrorism. Yet, it stands as a complex symbol of multi-faith and multi-ethnic histories, representing the intricate and sometimes tense relationship between different religious communities in the region. Overall, Beit Jimal serves as a microcosm of Palestine's layered history, a locus where various cultural narratives intersect.