History of the diocese in Egypt

The Episcopalian (Anglican communion) Church today.

The Church in Egypt originated from the needs of British expatriates notably with the opening of the Suez canal in 1869. Building of the Church of St Mark in Alexandria was started in 1839 and a chaplain appointed in 1841.

While missionaries (German) came to Egypt in 1825 the CMS first appointed the Rev F.A. Klein in 1882 to Egypt, who worked among the poor in Cairo; work previously begun by Miss Mary Whatley.

That year, the British occupied Egypt on the pretext of supporting the Khedive against the Nationalists led by Arabi and British presence increased thereafter. The first All Saints' Church in Cairo was opened in 1878.

In 1888, Dr Frank Harpur arrived to establish medical work in Old Cairo and the Harpur memorial hospital in Menouf is named afer him. Under the Rev Adeney, the CMS appointed the Rev Douglas Thornton in 1898 and in 1899 the Rev Temple Gairdner to work among the people in Cairo. Both men had first to set about learning Arabic. Thornton took over the book shop previously run by Adeney and opened it up with a meeting room for discussions. Later Thornton and Gairdner shared with their families the large house Bait Arabi Pasha. This became the CMS open house where meetings were held to promote dialogue and debate among Muslims and Christians. A 5 year old at the time in later life remembered the 'loud noise that came from the meeting room downstairs.' In 1904 they started the Orient and Occident magazine which circulated from this house throughout Egypt and the Mid East .

Bait Arabi Pasha was pulled down circa 1911 and replaced by the much taller buildings of today. Its location is the triangle to the left of square Midan Falaki, on Sharia El Bustan (near to the American university of Cairo in the centre of the modern map of Cairo. ) Photo below.

Gairdner expressed his aspirations thus:- "We need a song note in our message to the Muslims, not the dry, cracked note of disputation, but the song note of joyous witness, tender invitation." Thornton died in Cairo aged 34 in 1907. Gairdner was joined in 1923 by Constance Padwick.

Gairdner issued a policy statement in 1923 that:' ....... the Anglican Church in Egypt ............. does not desire to draw adherents from either the Coptic or the Evangelical Churches. Those who, in sincerity, find the Anglican Church their spiritual home are welcome to join it, but the Church does not set out to gain their allegiance. Instead, it seeks to extend the right hand of fellowship to the Coptic Church so as to render it every possible form of service, and at the same time it strives for closer co-operation and greater unity between all the churches in Egypt.'

Gairdner developed an Arabic congregation at the Church of the Savior, in the district of Boulac where Girgis Bishai was the first Egyptian Anglican Priest. Sadly, Gairdner died in 1928 only aged 58 and the Church of Jesus the Light of the World was built in his memory in Old Cairo, next to the present day deaf school.

The church established a teacher training class, a small boarding school and two day schools for girls in Cairo, a boys’ day school in Old Cairo and a school for the daughters of the well-to-do in Helwan. Miss Elsie Anna Wood established an embroidery industry in Boulac in 1930. Schools and social work continue today.

In 1920, the Diocese of Egypt and the Sudan was created with Bishop Llewelyn Gwynne as its Bishop. He was mainly responsible for the building of All Saints' Cathedral on the banks of the Nile.

Bishop Gwynne ordained the first four Egyptian pastors of the Church, including Girgis Bishai, and Adeeb Shammas. The Cathedral on the Nile became an important centre for many of the British forces during the second world war, attracted by the inspiring sermons of Bishop Gwynne.

Bishop Gwynne retired from being Bishop in 1946. The diocese of Egypt separated from Sudan and he was succeeded in Egypt by Bishop Geoffrey Allen, then Bishop Frank Johnston who was followed by Bishop Kenneth Cragg. Other leaders included Archdeacons Adeeb Shammas and Ishaq Musaad, and the latter was appointed Bishop in 1974.

The Cathedral had to make way for a new bridge over the Nile in 1978. A new design by Dr Awad Kamil Fahmi in the form of a lotus flower was built in Zamalek, where the main compound and buildings are now situated; adjacent to the Marriott Hotel. Bishop Ghais Abdel Malik, formerly pastor in Old Cairo was appointed Bishop in 1983 and succeeded by Bishop Dr Mouneer Anis in 2000.

The following books cover the history of the Episcopalian Church in Egypt:-

Nile Harvest, by Brian de Saram (1992). About the Episcopalian Anglican Church in Egypt and the Sudan. Printed by Bourne Press ltd Bournemouth. 'This book attempts to provide the Episcopal Churches in Egypt and the Sudan with a strong historical foundation on which to build for the future, and a clear sense of purpose to establish the Kingdom of God among the peoples of the Nile Valley.

Cathedral on the Nile, by Arthur Burrell (1984.) A short history of All Saints Cathedral set within the framework of Egyptian history. The first chapter, origins and foundation, gives the background; the final chapters by Bishop Cragg giving a 'forward look full of challenging wisdom.'

Temple Gairdner of Cairo by Constance Padwick published by SPCK. 1928. Obtainable from CMS Library. Covers the period from 1899, when Temple Gairdner first lived in Egypt up to his death in 1928, the early work of missionaries and the later work and life of Temple Gairdner himself.

D M Thornton a Study of missionary Ideals and Methods by W H Temple Gairdner published by Hodder and Stoughton 1908. View the book on-line. Covers the period from 1898 when D M Thornton first lived in Egypt to his death in 1907, the early work of the missionaries in that period.

Christianity in the land of the Pharaohs. The Coptic orthodoc Church. by Jill Kamil published by The American University in Cairo Press. Approximately 10% of people in Egypt belong to the Coptic faith. See also the web page of the Coptic Pope which includes the very early history of the time of the Holy Family in Egypt.

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Decorative front covers of the Orient and Occident magazines 1907-8.

Bait Arabi Pasha CMS HQ 1904 to 1911. Birthplace of the Occident and Orient Magazine

First floor layout at Bait Arabi Pasha for the two CMS families by D M Thornton 2003. The ground floor consisted of a large room in which discussions with Egyptians and enquirers were held.

Can you identify any in the group below?

Weddding group 1899 click for enlargement

Rev Trimingham, Rev Pat Fedden, Bishop Geoffrey Allen, Archdeacon Adeeb Shammas, Rev Barnes Subdean. Taken circa 1950.

Kenneth Cragg (assist Bishop in Jerusalem) with Archdeacons Ishaq Mussad (Bishop 1974-1981) & Adeeb Shammas.Taken circa 72.

Consecration of Bishop Mouneer Zamalec. Click for enlargement & names.

Mm Ansaf behind Rev Gad Manfaluti & social group, Boulac (photo taken in 1988.)

Deaf School (started 1982) Old Cairo run by Clair Malik (photo taken in 1988.)

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