Surrey, B.C., community aims to rebuild torched Orthodox church - Action News
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British Columbia

Surrey, B.C., community aims to rebuild torched Orthodox church

The St. George Coptic Orthodox Church burned down in an arson three years ago, and it will be several more years before the congregation finds its way back into a new building.

The October 2021 fire left St. George Coptic Orthodox Church members without permanent home

A man's finger points to an image of a church interior with a photo of a burned remains of the same church.
Father Armia Gerges points to photos of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church's charred walls after the July 2021 fire that gutted it, as well as its bright interior before the fire. (Shawn Foss/CBC)

Nearly three years after a devastating fire reduced their church to ashes, members of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey say they are determined to rebuild.

Dozens of churchgoers came together on Saturday in Fort Langley for a walkathon and car wash fundraiser, hoping to raise funds to construct a new place of worship.

The fire that devastated the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church on 108 Avenue and 139 Streetin the city's Whalley neighbourhood in October 2021 was confirmed to be an act of arson.

The perpetrator, a 35-year-old woman, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of arson, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.

The fire left the congregation without a permanent home, saysFather Armia Gerges.

A church priest in a black gown and a cap with a long white beard standing in front of a bunch of children holding signs.
Father Armia Gerges, the churchs priest, says the congregation felt "homeless" after the fire. (Shawn Foss/CBC)

"So many things, valuable things, in our church burneddown," he told CBC News. "We had a great loss.

"But we forgive her, and we are praying for her," he said of the arsonist.

According to its website, the Coptic Orthodox church in Surrey, which was established in 1998,brought together a diverse group of Coptic, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Iraqi and Lebanese Orthodox believers.

A fire truck is seen with a church in the background.
The St. George Coptic Orthodox Church was destroyed by a fire on July 19, 2021. (Eva Uguen-Csenge/CBC)

St. George's congregation consistsof around 300 families, according to the church. It has been relying on temporary locations for church services since the blaze.

They currently hold gatherings at an elementary school in Surrey and the Fort Langley Community Church.

But the logistics of moving between venues have made it difficult for the community to stay connected, says Michael Habib, a longtime member of the congregation.

A number of young people in the street hold signs advertising a BBQ and car wash.
Dozens took part in a fundraising event in Fort Langley for the rebuild of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which involved a walkathon, barbeque and car wash. (Shawn Foss/CBC)

"We're losing people, it's a real struggle to get people to come together in different places with constantly changing schedules," said Habib, who has attended the church since he was three years old.

He calls St. Georgehis"second home."

"Having the church to come to protected me from a lot of things that I could have otherwise been doing."

WATCH | Surrey church seeks to rebuild 3 years after arson:

Fundraiser held for gutted Coptic Orthodox church in Surrey, B.C.

3 days ago
Duration 2:09
Three years after St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey, B.C., was burnt to the ground in an arson attack, dozens of people gathered for a fundraising event in Fort Langley.

The church hasreceived some insurance money following the fire.

But according to Steven Faltas, project manager for the construction of the new church, it's not enough to cover the costs of building the new church.

"We wanted to build ... a bigger church for our growing needs," he said.

Faltas estimates the cost of constructingthe new church will be approximately $34 million.

A 3D rendition of a church with a small circular dome design.
A rendition of what the new St. George Coptic Orthodox Church would look like at its new location in the Port Kells neighbourhood, southeast of the church's original location in Whalley. (Submitted by Steven Faltas)

The congregation plans to build itat 18555 88 Avenue, in Surrey's Port Kells neighbourhood southeast of the church's original location.

Faltas said the community is aiming to raise $5 million through fundraisers, in addition to selling the original church site, so that theycan cover the costs of the new build.

Rezoning approval from Surrey City Council is expected to come through on Monday, which would allow construction to begin in mid-2025, with completion slated for 2027, the project manager added.

With files from Pinki Wong and Cory Correia