Pastor

Rev. Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson was ordained in October of 1997 after completing a Masters of Divinity degree and Master of Arts in Islamic Studies degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.  He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, USA.  For ten years, he served congregations in New York and Minnesota.  Peter grew up in the Middle East, including several years in Egypt, and attended St. Andrew’s as a boy.  He also
serves as Regional Representative for the Middle East for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is responsible for programs and personnel throughout the region, specifically Lebanon, Jerusalem/West Bank, Jordan and throughout Egypt.  He is married to Michele Kewitsch Johnson and they have three boys.

History

For over 100 years, St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo has been a place where people living in the Cairo area from around the world have gathered together to worship God. The inaugural services of St. Andrew’s Church in Cairo were held on February 5, 1899, in a classroom offered for this purpose on what is now known as Emad el Din Street. The dedication service in the present sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Church was held on January 3, 1909. Worship at St. Andrew’s continued during both World Wars, serving the English-speaking military personnel stationed in Cairo.

St. Andrew’s ministry also includes assistance for refugees, which began with the arrival of refugees from the Horn of Africa in 1976. At that time, most of these refugees were studying in Cairo under the auspices of the UNHCR. They lacked a meeting place and faced many hours of boredom outside of school. On October 11, 1979, the Thursday evening “Refugee Center” was inaugurated in St. Andrew’s Guild Hall. In its early days, as many as 115 people came for games, conversation, and tea. In the early years there was also a rudimentary effort in English-language instruction. The refugee ministry has grown and changed through the years and today mainly serves refugees from Sudan.

Directions

38, 26th of July Street, Cairo

Cairo’s traffic is legendary. Yet on Friday mornings you can drive to St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo from anywhere in the city in 15 minutes or less. Part of the gift of St. Andrew’s is that it brings people from all over the city together each week for worship.

Getting to St. Andrew’s:

St. Andrew's is located above the Nasser Metro Station and has ample parking for Friday and Sunday services.

By Taxi: Ask the driver for “al-Is’aaf”.  This Egyptian court building is across the street from St. Andrew’s and is well known.

From Heliopolis or Maadi by Metro: Exit at Nasser Station. Take Galaa St. exit from underground metro station. Entrance to St. Andrew’s is on your left.

Driving from Heliopolis: Take Salah Salem Tunnel to 26th July. Cross main intersection at Ramses. Church is on left before overpass (Galaa Street Bridge).

(Alternative: 6th October Bridge to Museum exit. Turn left onto Ramses. Go to 26th July main intersection. Turn left. The church is immediately on the left.)

Driving from Maadi: Take Corniche to Ramses, past the Museum to 26th July Street. Turn left on 26th July. The church is on the left.

Driving from Dokki/Mohandesen: 6th October Bridge to downtown exit (Ramses St.). Take Ramses to 26th July. Turn left.  The church is on the left.

Contact Us

Interested in more information about St. Andrew’s Church and its ministries?  Please contact us with any questions.

Church

Phone:  (+20) 2924 2743
E-mail: pastor@standrewschurchcairo.com
Address: 38, 26 July Street, Cairo, Egypt

St. Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS)

Phone:  (+20) 2575 9451

E-mail: st.andrewsrs@gmail.com

Address: 38, 26 July Street, Cairo, Egypt

Website:  http://www.standrewsrefugeeservices.org/