A brief history of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Tampa, Florida.
Timeline
The early immigrants to the State of FL. founded St. George Coptic Orthodox Church Tampa, FL in the 1980’s. Rev. Father: Youhanna Hanna was the first father to pray the first Divine Liturgy in Tampa Bay area.
The church bought a church building in Plant City, FL and started weekly continuous service in 1987 – Fr. Philemon Ava Bishoy served in the church for about a year; Fr. Bakhoum Hanna served for another two years then Fr. Angelos Boghdadi came from Cairo in 1993, Fr. Angelos served the congregation in St. George for almost 20 years till he departed to the paradise of Joy in December 23rd, 2012 May the Lord Jesus Christ repose his pure soul in the Paradise of Joy and benefit us from his prayers in front of the Throne Of Grace.
The church main alter was consecrated by the hands of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in his memorial visit to Tampa Bay area in 1989 accompanied by Bishop Tadros and Bishop Paula. His Holiness Pope Shenouda had visited St. George Tampa again in august 1999 consecrating a new alter by the name of St. Joseph the Carpenter.
St. George Church is blessed to be in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Youssef. Bishop Youssef was enthroned as Bishop of the diocese on December 1996 – all the Coptic congregation praying for him that God grants him many years and peaceful times on his throne.
St. George Church was relocated in 1999 from Plant City to Tampa area in a church building style located at 2135 West Busch Blvd. Tampa, FL. The building contains a church can hold 320 persons, 12 classes and a fellowship Hall can holds 250 persons.
His Grace Bishop Youssef ordained Fr. Moussa Saleh on Oct. 26th, 1997 on St. George Church altar (still serving today).
His Grace Bishop Youssef ordained Fr. Mathew Morgan on October 24th, 2010, Fr. Matthew now is relocated and serving at St. Reweis Coptic Orthodox Church.
Finally, His Grace Bishop Youssef ordained Fr. Joshua Gerges on Oct. 9th, 2016 on St. George Church altar (still serving today).
Now the church is serving more than 300 families in the area of Tampa, Land O Lake, Lutz, Brandon, Apollo Beach and Riverview cities. May the Lord bless all His churches. St. George Church is blessed to be in the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Youssef.