Here stands St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington Melbourne. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a testament to a community’s faith and resilience.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s about forty newly migrated families made up Melbourne’s Coptic Orthodox community. Imagine these pioneers. They were eager to integrate into Australian society. They were determined to preserve their traditions. They wanted to maintain the faith and teachings of their beloved Coptic Orthodox Church.
Initially this small congregation gathered at the Church of All Nations in Carlton. This was an Anglican mission to new Australians. The minister there pressured the Copts to accept the Sacrament of Eucharist. Strong in their faith the Copts refused. They decided to form their own church. They named it after The Virgin Mary.
These Copts would wait at Station Pier wharf. They awaited new arrivals from Egypt. They helped them settle in finding places to live and work. The congregation grew steadily. They met every Sunday. They read the Agbia and Bible readings followed by contemplation.
The growing congregation needed a dedicated space. They rented a hall attached to the Syrian Maronite Church in East Melbourne. This hall soon proved too small. A new place on Church Street Richmond was hired. This place was only available at 2pm on Sundays. But they could now hold Sunday School services.
At the same time the Church in Sydney was also growing rapidly. The Copts felt it was time for a permanent priest. His Holiness Pope Kyrellos responded. He sent Fr Mina Namatalla as the first priest to serve in Australia.
On January 21st 1969 Fr Mina arrived in Melbourne. That night the first ever Coptic Orthodox Liturgy was prayed on Australian soil. The pioneers of the church were jubilant. For some it was the first time they had partaken in the sacrament for several years.
Fr Mina continued to pray liturgies in both Sydney and Melbourne. Fr Victor Raphael arrived in 1971. His Holiness Pope Kyrellos VI had once again responded to his children’s needs. He sent Fr Victor as a priest for Melbourne. Fr Victor arrived on Wednesday April 14 during passion week. The congregation celebrated the feast of the Resurrection 1971 with their own priest.
In 1972 under the leadership of Fr Victor the congregation purchased an Anglican church in Kensington. This became St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church. It was the first permanent parish in Victoria. Later Fr Mina Isaac came to Melbourne to assist Fr Victor.
The church continued to grow. More Christ loving Copts arrived. More priests and churches followed. By 1999 the Coptic Orthodox Church in Melbourne included six churches, two schools and a Coptic Village.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda consecrated Fr Suriel El-Anba Bishoy as His Grace Bishop Suriel in June 1997. On December 4th 1999 Bishop Suriel was enthroned as Bishop of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions. Since that time the church has continued to grow under his guidance and leadership.
Today St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church offers a range of services. These include weekly liturgies, youth ministry, bible study and Sunday School. The church’s expansion designed by Studio Bright considers its civic significance and residential neighbours. It maximizes the community aspects of the building.
The design incorporates motifs of Coptic churches. It uses monolithic materials, arches and gold accents. The aim is to create a space that is both Egyptian and Australian religious and public. It balances residential and civic scales. It welcomes both the Coptic community and the broader Kensington community. St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington stands as a beacon of faith community and cultural exchange. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Coptic Orthodox tradition in Melbourne.