ROTHERHAM ST ANTHONY COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
Welcome to St Antony Coptic Orthodox Church, previously known as St Stephen’s Church. The church was acquired by Bishop Antony, Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese in Ireland, Scotland and NE England on behalf of the Coptic congregation in 1997. The church has had extensive repairs.
The church is a grade II listed building, erected in 1874. The church consists of a nave, channel, north and south aisles, with vestry and organ chamber. There are several stained windows. The tower and spire, with a peal of bells, were completed in 1910. The tower is 64 feet high, and the spire 57 feet high, the total height being 121 feet. The church bells were broadcast by the BBC in the New Year 1990. St Stephen’s was made redundant in 1991, and the parish of Eastwood was dissolved. There was real threat of demolition.
There is much to see in the church today. Although the majority of its original features are preserved, you will notice the Coptic style has been added through internal adaptations. This includes a beautiful iconostasis and many eye catching Coptic icons. The iconostasis separates altar from the nave. There is also an elevated area for the deacons’ choir followed by the main area for the congregation.
The church has a hall complimented by a kitchen. Upstairs is a small chapel designed in the same styles as the churches found in Coptic monasteries.
If you know anything more about the heritage of this site and would like us to include it here please contact us.
VISITING ST ANTHONY
Address: St Leonard’s Road, Eastwood, Rotherham, S65 1PA
Opening Times: The church is open for services on Saturdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Sundays 10:00am – 2:00pm and Wednesdays 10:00am – 12:00pm. Please contact us to arrange a visit.
Contact: Fr Mousa: 07973736191 or sobhigirgis@hotmail.com
Directions: M1 J34. Take A618 to Rotherham. Follow dual carriageway, through four roundabouts. At St Ann's Roundabout turn right onto St Ann's Road. Turn left onto St Leonard's Road, church on left.
Grid Reference: SK 433 932 GB Grid
The text has been written by volunteers from the site, more information can be found when you visit in person.
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