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Our History

HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF EGYPT

The Anglican presence in Egypt was formed through divine providence and the work of missionary evangelists. In 1819, the first missionary from the Church Mission Society (CMS) arrived in Egypt. After meeting with the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch and receiving an introduction letter addressed to all monasteries in Egypt, he set out to visit monks and distribute copies of the Bible in Arabic.
Later, Muhammad Ali Pasha granted a plot of land designated for the Anglican Church. As a result, St. Mark’s Anglican Church was built in Alexandria—the first Anglican church in Egypt—and was consecrated on December 17, 1839.

On January 23, 1876, Bishop Samuel Gobat consecrated All Saints’ Church in Cairo, with the Duke of Sutherland laying its foundation stone. Though originally a small church, it became a central place of worship in Cairo and its surrounding areas.
In 1915, the Bishop of Jerusalem declared, “The time has come to build a church worthy of our God in Cairo.” In a letter to The Times on June 29, 1916, Bishop MacInnes wrote, “This church will stand as a witness and symbol of our Christian faith to the people of Egypt… For us, it will not only be a symbol but an outward expression of our inner faith, a center for our spiritual life, and a lasting inspiration for worship.”
The impact of the Anglican Church grew through the ministry of CMS, which, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sent missionaries such as Rev. Temple Gairdner, Dr. Frank Harper, Rev. Douglas Thornton, and Miss Constance Padwick. Their influence was vast and enduring, seen today through Orient and Occident Magazine, Jesus Light of the World Church in Old Cairo, Harper Memorial Hospital in Menouf, and many other ministries.

Establishment of the Diocese

In 1920, the Diocese of Egypt and Sudan was established, with Bishop Llewellyn Gwynne as its first bishop, consecrated on November 21, 1921. The church expanded, founding many congregations and significantly contributing to the Mission to Seafarers. However, it did not fully grasp the importance of training local leadership at the time.
The completion of the new All Saints’ Cathedral in Cairo was a major milestone. Bishop Gwynne announced the establishment of the second All Saints’ Cathedral, which was consecrated by Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of York, on April 25, 1938. Later, Bishop Geoffrey Allen took office in 1946, followed by Bishop Johnston in 1952. However, the Suez Crisis of 1956 forced the Egyptian government to expel expatriates, leaving only four Egyptian clergy under the direct supervision of the Archbishop of Jerusalem.

In 1976, the first Egyptian bishop, Isaac Messad, was consecrated. In 1984, Ghais Abdel Malik became the first elected Egyptian bishop and the second Egyptian bishop overall (1984–2000), later serving as Archbishop of the Province (1996–2000). The third and current All Saints’ Cathedral in Cairo was consecrated on St. Mark’s Day, April 25, 1988, by Bishop Ghais Abdel Malik.
In 2000, Bishop Mouneer Anis became the third Egyptian bishop (2000–2021) and was elected Archbishop of the Province in 2007. Notable achievements under his leadership included the founding of the Alexandria School of Theology and the establishment of Harper Memorial Hospital in Sadat City in 2010, along with many other ministries in the diocese.

Growth and Expansion

Why did the Diocese of Egypt flourish? The answer lies in God’s grace and the Church’s mission to serve society in word and deed. One of the main factors was the love of neighbor. A clergyman who served in the diocese wrote about its history: "A strong theme of service has been present in the Anglican mission in Egypt to this day. God’s love has been demonstrated through the provision of healthcare and education in Anglican hospitals and schools. This was done without any expectation that those who benefited would necessarily convert from Islam to Christianity" (Rhodes, p. 10). The diocese’s vast geographical area—including North Africa and the Horn of Africa—its cultural and linguistic diversity, and the growth of its ministries prompted Bishop Mouneer Anis to establish two episcopal areas under the oversight of assistant bishops.

In 2007, Bishop Andrew Proud was consecrated as the first Area Bishop of the Horn of Africa, covering Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Djibouti. He was succeeded in 2012 by Bishop Grant LeMarquand, who focused on training local leaders.

In 2009, Dr. Bill Musk was consecrated as the first Area Bishop of North Africa, overseeing Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. He was later succeeded by Bishop Samy Fawzy Shehata, the first Arab bishop for North Africa.

Due to the continued growth of the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, and after extensive study by the Anglican Communion Office in Canterbury, the diocese was elevated to the Province of Alexandria in May 2020. This new province includes the Diocese of Egypt, the Diocese of North Africa, the Diocese of the Horn of Africa, and the Diocese of Gambella in Ethiopia. Bishop Mouneer Anis became the first Archbishop of the new province.

In 2021, Bishop Samy Fawzy Shehata was elected as the fourth Egyptian bishop of the Diocese of Egypt and the second Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria (2021–present). During the transitional period (2020–2025), new bishops were appointed for the newly established dioceses:
– Bishop Martin Rex Williams for the Diocese of the Horn of Africa
– Bishop Anthony Ball for the Diocese of North Africa
– Bishop Jeremiah Miate for the Diocese of Gambella
The transitional period is set to conclude in May 2025 with elections for the new dioceses.