The History Of St-George and St-Joseph Church
The humble beginnings of this church are what make the spirit of the people so strong. Everyone has a fond memory of this church and of its very beginnings, before the building was even established. After reading how the idea of St-George and St-Joseph came and what the people of this community went through to make this happen. It is very easy to understand why people love this building and love to serve God in it. Another aspect of this church’s strength comes from the priests who dedicate their lives to the service. This overview of the church history will also include facts and a short history of our three fathers and the different stages when they entered the church.
It all started in the summer of 1989; the congregation of Montreal had been petitioning the pope for the return of Father Arsanios for a few years. At the time Father Arsanios was serving the congregation of Sydney in Australia. But the people of this city were reluctant to give up and finally in July 1989 a large portion of the Egyptian community gathered at the airport to away the much-anticipated arrival of Father Arsanios and his family. At the news of his arrival the congregants of the church had located a church in which services could be performed until the constructions of the building that we now know today. So in the summer of 1989 the first St-George and St-Joseph mass was celebrated at the church of St-Colomba in Dorval. This lasted for almost 1 year. In the mean time some of thee mid week masses were prayed in the basement of Father Arsanios, people would gather in small number for the intimate encounters with God.
Then in 1990 we moved to another location, a school by the name of Charles Perreault situated on Blvd. Lanlonde. We used the gymnasium to celebrate mass every Sunday. Then about 3 or 4 months later we moved yet again to a warehouse owned by one of the deacons of this church Mr. Alfonse Messiha. Again in that place we spend just a few months and then moved back to the school by the name of Charles Perreault, however in a different location this one was situated on Gouin Blvd. And finally after all this moving around every few months a breakthrough. In the month of November 1990 we purchase this land. This was a very important step and gave the congregation hope after all the hardship of moving around all the time.
And in march of 1991 another major step for the church of St-George and St-Joseph, Pope Shenouda the III visits us from Egypt for a celebration and placing the chief corner stone. This celebration took place on the land under a huge tent. Many important people were in attendance, such as the Federal Minister of citizenship and multiculturalism Jerry Weiner, the Provincial Minister Mr. Sam Elkas Minister of Transportation. We also had in attendance some of the priest from the arch diesis of Montreal the representative of Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Monsignor Jude St- Antoine and the rector of St Joseph’s Oratory. As well we had representatives of our sister churches the Syrian and Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches as well as the Syrian and Greek Catholic churches. The Pro-Mayor of Pierrefonds and the Mayor of Pointe-Claire also attended this large celebration. In August of 1991 we moved yet again and this time we celebrated mass in Beaubois High School where we spend great times praying there.
In 1992 we return to our humble surroundings of Charle Perreault for another year. Then in 1993 we moved once more this time to another high school by the name of west Island College, We prayed there for about one year. During that time the mid week masses were celebrated at SC commercial center street, Roxboro. It was a small warehouse that was being rented by Mr. Fayek Todary another one of our deacons who donated it to our church. This went on for two years and the congregation was very fond of that little shop and was sad when we had to leave it. Then in 1994 another moment of pride for our church and it’s people, it was something that we were all waiting for and that would put an end to all this moving around. In the moth of January 1994 phase one was finally complete. This included the gym the cafeteria and the classrooms. A large party was given with a special service that was attended by Bishop Roueiss. From then on mass was celebrated in the gym of our new church and the people couldn’t have been happier. Everyone had a hand in helping set up this church. The youth helped set up the church for mass, the servants helped clean up after the worker it was a joy to see. We were finally in our own space and everyone wanted it to be the best and it showed in the effort that was put into it.
On 14 November 1994, Mr. Nabil Sedra a deacon is ordained to our church by the name of Father Joseph Sedra. We now have double the blessings 2 fathers to serve the congregation.
In November 1996 more joy for the people phase II is complete and the Pope graces us again with his presence to consecrate the altar and all the icons. The people gather in hundreds to witness this momentous event. People were working up to the arrival of the pope to make sure that the church was perfect for the arrival of the Pope. All were impressed and happy to finally have a place of their own where they could serve the Lord. And this is the church that we now know and love today.
In addition to having a beautiful church, in November of 2000 a new addition was made to our establishment, a day care center “Center De La Petite Enfance.” This day care hosts 80 children raging from 0-5 years old. This project allows many parents to bring their children to a day care that will allow their child to grow up in loving the church.
The newest addition to our church came about on the 3rd of June with the ordination of deacon Mr. Bouchra Awadallah as Father Raphael Bishara in charge of the youth and their activities. And for this the youth are very thankful.
After having gone through all these things it’s very easy to understand why the spirit of the people in this church is so strong and why people love coming to St-George and St-Joseph’s church.