St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church (Jersey City, New Jersey)

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church
Ϯⲉⲕ'ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⳿ⲛⲣⲉⲙ⳿ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ ti.eklyseya en.remenkimi en.orthodoxos ente fi.ethowab Markos
St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Location in Hudson County, New Jersey Show map of Hudson County, New Jersey St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Location in Hudson County, New Jersey Show map of New Jersey St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Location in Hudson County, New Jersey Show map of the US
40°42′58″N 74°05′12″W / 40.7160°N 74.0867°W / 40.7160; -74.0867Coordinates: 40°42′58″N 74°05′12″W / 40.7160°N 74.0867°W / 40.7160; -74.0867
Location	Jersey City, New Jersey
Country	United States of America
Denomination	Coptic Orthodox
Membership	750 families (2008)
Website	http://www.saintmark.com/
History
Dedication	Mark the Apostolic
Architecture
Status	Mother Church of United States
Functional status	Active
Style	Coptic
Administration
Archdiocese	North America
Clergy
Archbishop	H.H. Pope Tawadros II
Exarch(s)	H.G. Bishop Karas
Archpriest	The Very Rev. Hegumen Abraam Sleman
Priest(s)	Fr. Markos Ayoub Fr. Daniel Abdelmaseih

St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church (Coptic: Ϯⲉⲕ'ⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⳿ⲛⲣⲉⲙ⳿ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⳿ⲛⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ⳿ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ Ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲟⲥ // transliteration: ti.eklyseya en.remenkimi en.orthodoxos ente fi.ethowab Markos) is notably the first Coptic Orthodox parish and church building in North America, if not, the Western Hemisphere, located at Jersey City, New Jersey. This is in comparison to St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in (Toronto, Canada) which is considered the first parish in North America. To It is one of over 200 Coptic Orthodox Churches in the United States.

St. Mark's Church was first founded from the late 60's, although the actual date of incorporation was 1970. The large influx of Copts in New Jersey can be attributed to their persecution in Egypt, in addition to those who emigrate seeking educational and financial opportunities. Currently, there are more than 30,000 Copts in Jersey City alone.

Coptic Orthodox Christians, who adhere to an ancient Christian faith rooted in Egypt in the first century, have established a presence throughout New Jersey over the last several decades. Being the first Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States, St. Mark’s in Jersey City was founded by early Egyptian immigrants, and the congregations have since grown in allowing 15 other parishes in New Jersey alone.

The year 1977 marked the first pastoral visit by Pope Shenouda III to the US and Canada, including St. Mark's Church in Jersey City. Ten years later, in January 1987, the church building was newly refitted and consecrated.