Where was the first church built, and where was the first Liturgy celebrated?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-09

The first church in the world, according to Coptic Orthodox tradition, is the Upper Room of Zion (often referred to as the Cenacle). The first church built in Egypt and the entire continent of Africa was established by St. Mark the Apostle in Alexandria.

1. The Universal First Church: The Upper Room

The birth of the Church occurred at Pentecost in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It was here that the Holy Spirit (ⲡⲓⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ) descended upon the Apostles.

• The First Liturgy: The very first Divine Liturgy was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself on Covenant Thursday (Maundy Thursday) in this same Upper Room. He took bread, blessed it, and broke it, saying, “Take, eat; this is My body,” and the cup, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant.” (Matthew 26:26-28).
• Apostolic Continuity: Following the Resurrection and Pentecost, the first Christians "continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread (ⲡⲓⲱϣⲃ ⲛte ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ), and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).

2. The First Church in Egypt: St. Mark’s House

In Egypt, the first church was the house of Anianus (ⲁⲛⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ), the shoemaker who was St. Mark’s first convert in Alexandria. After St. Mark miraculously healed Anianus's hand, Anianus and his entire household were baptized. His home became the first place of gathering for the faithful to celebrate the Liturgy and receive the Mysteries.

Later, the first formal church building, known as Baucalis, was constructed in Alexandria near the shore. It was here that St. Mark eventually achieved the crown of martyrdom.

3. The Development of the Liturgy

The Liturgy we pray today, specifically the Divine Liturgy of St. Cyril (ⲑⲉⲓⲁ ⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲓⲁ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ), is fundamentally the Liturgy of St. Mark.

• St. Mark delivered the oral tradition of the Liturgy to the Church of Alexandria.
• It was later recorded and arranged by St. Cyril the Pillar of Faith (the 24th Pope).

Theological Perspective

It is important to distinguish our Apostolic foundation from the views of later groups like Protestants, who emerged centuries later during the Reformation and lack the physical and sacramental continuity of the Apostolic succession. The Coptic Orthodox Church maintains the original "earthly sanctuary" (Hebrews 9:1) and the "ordinances of divine service" delivered by the Apostles.

Our churches are designed with the Dome, a tradition of high antiquity. Egypt was likely ahead of the rest of the world in building churches and establishing this architectural style, which signifies the heavens spanning over the earth during the Liturgy. When we enter the church (ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ), we are not merely in a building, but in the "Holiest of All," where the sacrifice of the Cross is made present on the Altar.