The church of The Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius started in April 1974 when four Coptic families organized a weekly prayer meeting for Coptic families and youth. The group met every Friday evening at one of their homes. The first meeting, in May 1974, was led by Father Marcos of St. Mark's Church in Toronto. The meeting was named ' St. Athanasius ' after our Coptic father the defender of the Christian faith. Bible studies, Coptic hymns and prayers were practiced, Father Marcos, Father Mankarius Awadalla, and Father Mittias EL Souriany (currently H.G. Bishop Roweis) took charge of the meeting at various times. In August 1974, Father Pishoi Kamel (1931-1979), of St. George Coptic Church, Sporting, Alexandria, visited Toronto. The group spent some time with him listening to the word of God. At one of the meetings, Father Pishoi suggested to get in touch with H.H. Pope Shenouda III and to register a Coptic church. The group accepted Father Pishoi's advice as they felt that this message was from God. more... See more text