An Egyptian Anglican Church which was first created to care for English-speaking workers on the Suez Canal has celebrated its 130th anniversary. The Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Port Said was established in 1889. A celebratory service this weekend was attended by dignitaries including the Governor of Port Said, Adel Mohamed Ibrahim Yousef Al Ghadhban, and the Bishop of Egypt, Dr Mouneer Anis; as well as the Area Bishop of North Africa, Bishop Samy Fawzy.

Also in attendance was the church’s former Rector, Dr Rajkumar Sathyaraj, who travelled from Ireland for the service, the Middle East Director of the Anglican mission agency Mission to Seafarers, Andrew Bowerman, and a host of leaders of other Christian churches.

The Governor of Port Said, Adel Mohamed Ibrahim Yousef al-Ghadhban, and the Rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Port Said, Dean Hany Shenouda, at a celebration of the church’s 130th anniversary.
Photo: Diocese of Egypt

The celebration began with a thanksgiving service led by Dean Hany Shenouda, the current Rector. This was followed by the screening of a film showing the story of the church since its establishment.

“When it began, the church was committed to serving the English-speaking workers in the Suez Canal company and the seafarers who came to the port”, the Diocese of Egypt said. “In 1956, when all the British were asked to leave the country, the church became empty. The ministry of the church was resumed after that, but it was neither stable nor consistent, with a very small mixed Arabic and English congregation.”

Today, the congregation comprises around 300 people from 55 families, and the Church is now looking to expand.

The Bishop of Egypt, Dr Mouneer Anis, said he hoped that the Mission to Seafarers would be able to resume their ministry in Port Said; and said that the church was looking to start a community service centre.