Father Yohanna T. Guirgis Way (Queens)
Present name:Woodward Avenue
Location:Between Grove Street and Linden Street
Honoree: Father Yohanna T. Guirgis (d. 2018) settled in Ridgewood in 1973. He was one of the first Coptic Christians to come to the United States and began aiding other Coptic Christians arriving from Egypt, where they number perhaps 10 percent of the population of Egypt. As persecution of Coptic Christians rose in Egypt, many more sought refuge in the United States. Father Guirgis rented space in a church and began services for Coptic Christians as they were taught in Egypt, making it the first Coptic Christian Church in the United States. He also assisted Coptic Christians to obtain jobs and housing, often offering his own home to new arrivals until they got on their feet. Over 45 years, he aided hundreds of families. (Holden)
LL:2019/24