Celebrating Our 35th Anniversary
1991–2026
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it.” - Psalm 127:1
With great joy and thanksgiving, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the consecration of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church - Melbourne.
This blessed milestone is not merely a celebration of a building, but a celebration of faith, sacrifice, service and the enduring love of God that has carried our Parish family through generations.
Since its humble beginnings in December 1974, St Mark’s has been a joyful and faithful presence within the City of Darebin. Established by the late Fr Victor Rophael OAM, of blessed memory, our Parish began as Melbourne’s second Coptic Orthodox Church, gathering in a rented bluestone church on High St, Northcote. From these early days, a strong foundation of faith, worship and community was built.
As the Parish continued to grow, the vision for a permanent spiritual home became a reality with the purchase of land on Gilbert Rd, Preston. Through the prayers, dedication and sacrifices of the clergy and faithful parishioners, Victoria’s first purpose-built Coptic Orthodox Church was constructed. Many offered not only financial support, but their own time, labour, skills and love, contributing to the church’s fence, minarets, crosses, iconography and sacred beauty.
On 24 February 1991, this holy church was consecrated by the late His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, together with six visiting bishops, marking a historic and blessed day in the life of our Parish and the wider Coptic Orthodox community in Melbourne.
Thirty-five years later, we give thanks for every prayer lifted, every liturgy celebrated, every sacrament received, every servant who has laboured, and every family who has called St Mark’s their spiritual home. We honour the memory of those who came before us, whose faith and sacrifice continue to bear fruit today.
St Mark’s has grown into a vibrant Parish family, deeply committed not only to worship and fellowship, but also to service, outreach and support for the wider community. Through its ministries, festivals, charitable work and partnerships, the Parish continues to be a place of welcome, stability and belonging for all who enter its doors.
As we celebrate this 35th Anniversary, we look to the future with gratitude, faith and hope. May the Lord continue to bless our Parish, servants, families, youth, children, seniors and all who are connected to this beloved place.
May this church always remain a house of prayer, a home of love, a place of service and a witness to Christ for generations to come!
St Mark’s 35th Anniversary – Testimonials, Memories & Historical Media
As part of the 35th Anniversary celebrations of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church - Melbourne, we will be collating testimonials, fond memories and reflections from parishioners who have been part of the life of our beloved church over the years.
We also warmly invite parishioners to share any rare or historical photos, videos, documents or special moments from the life of the church, including liturgies, services, events, festivals, youth activities, Sunday School, construction memories and parish milestones.
These precious memories form part of the living history of St Mark’s and reflect the love, faith and sacrifice of the generations who have called this church their spiritual home.
Following the collation and review of submissions, testimonials, photos and videos will be published as part of our anniversary commemorations.
We kindly encourage all parishioners and families to look through their archives and share any meaningful memories that may help us honour and preserve the blessed history of St Mark’s for generations to come!
Parish Timeline
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December 1974: St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church was founded in Northcote by the late Fr. Victor Rophael OAM of blessed memory. The parish began at a rented bluestone Uniting Church on High St, providing a new spiritual home for Melbourne’s growing Coptic Orthodox community and becoming the city's second Coptic Orthodox parish.
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August 1986: With the parish expanding rapidly, a plot of land was purchased on Gilbert Rd in Preston. This marked the beginning of a major development for the community: the construction of Victoria’s first purpose-built Coptic Orthodox church.
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July 1990: Construction of the new church building was completed, representing years of dedicated efforts by parishioners and skilled members of the community who contributed their time, resources, and skills.
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February 1991: The newly completed church was consecrated in a historic ceremony led by the late His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, along with six visiting Bishops on 24 February 1991. This consecration solidified St Mark’s as a centre of faith and community for Coptic Orthodox Christians in Melbourne.
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2004: The parish expanded further with the purchase of an adjacent Factory Building at 30-38 Gilbert Rd. This additional space allowed St Mark’s to continue accommodating the future needs of a growing congregation.
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October 2008: Fr. Victor Rophael OAM, the founding priest of St Mark’s Church, passed away on 14 October 2008 at 10:28pm, leaving a lasting legacy of faith and service that continues to inspire the parish.
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July 2017: Another property at 28 Gilbert Rd was acquired, marking further expansion and providing more facilities to meet the needs of an ever-growing community.
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November 2021: Deacon Paul Doss was ordained on 26 November 2021 by the hands of His Grace Bishop Daniel, supporting the parish's liturgical services and needs.
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April 2021: The Manna4Life service was established, aiming to provide vital support for the community, particularly in helping the underprivileged and those facing hardships within the City of Darebin.
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December 2022: St Mark’s Church launched a Foodbank service, in partnership with local organisations, to provide free food supplies to individuals and families in need, reaffirming the church’s commitment to social outreach.
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August 2023: The demolition of the Factory Building commenced, marking the start of a new expansion project. This initiative paves the way for future developments, enhancing St Mark’s Church facilities and services to meet the needs of the growing community.
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April 2025: Completion of The Lion's Den Building demolition, paving the way for the future outdoor recreational area for parishioners to gather in fellowship and unity.
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April 2026: Through God's grace, a successful Parish Election of Remon Benjamin to be ordained a priest for the church took place.
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May 2026: To enhance the outdoor recreational area, a 8m x 15m Marquee was installed providing a dedicated covered space to further strengthen the fellowship and social life of our Church.