On January 9 and 10, the former St. Stephen Baptist Church, at the corner of 22nd and Tennessee streets, was consecrated as St. Michael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s new home. The Church’s faithful trace their roots over 2,000 years, from Christ’s 12 apostles to His Grace Bishop Elias, current Primate of the Eritrean Orthodox Churches in the United States and Canada.
For the nearly 100-member congregation, the move represents the next step in a journey that started in the 1980s, when many Eritreans moved to the Bay Area from their home country on the Horn of Africa, along the shores of the Red Sea between Ethiopia and Sudan.
In 2011, Yemane Dessu Hagos, together with his colleague Zerai Woldezghi, offered classes in Tigrinya, the most widely spoken language in Eritrea, for San Francisco families. The idea was to help the younger generation become fluent in English, the language of opportunity in the United States, while remaining connected to their cultural and linguistic heritage.
The classes were first hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church on Valencia Street. They evolved to include faith-based sermons and prayer services, particularly focused on the spiritual needs of the elderly. As the congregation grew, it relocated to Ebenezer Baptist Church on Divisadero Street, renting space there for approximately eight years.
Members began searching for a place of their own. But the cost of purchasing a building, which could exceed $4 million, wasn’t financially feasible.
“St. Stephen Baptist Church chose to sell their former home when they learned that we are a Christian congregation committed to continuing the space as a house of worship devoted to Christ,” said Amhariety T., the Youth Bible Study Coordinator. “We are honored to join the Dogpatch and look forward to being good neighbors, contributing positively to the community, and growing together in faith.”
Under the guidance of Deacon Yuiel Abraham, the Spiritual Growth Administrator, the Church plans to offer opportunities for worship, prayer, and spiritual formation, including morning prayer services, the divine liturgy – the Eastern Christian name for what’s called the Eucharistic service in Western churches – scheduled times for confession, and personal spiritual consultation. It’ll also provide Bible study and faith-formation programs for children, youth, and adults.
Although certain aspects of sacramental life, such as Holy Communion, are reserved for full-fledged members of the Orthodox faith, the congregation views church as a spiritual hospital, not a private club. Everyone, regardless of background, belief, or personal circumstances, is welcome to enter, pray, and observe, so long as they respect the sacred space.
People interested in joining the faith are called catechumens. After receiving instruction in fundamental beliefs, they go through a period of preparation before being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit through a process called chrismation, similar to what the Roman Catholic Church calls confirmation.
While honoring their long history, Amhariety said their mission today is simple: to live in peace, serve with humility, and walk in the love of Christ with their neighbors and the wider community.
“This journey stands as a testament to the freedoms, opportunities, and welcoming environment that the United States provides,” Amhariety said. “Allowing immigrant communities like ours to worship freely, preserve our heritage, and contribute positively to the broader society. We look forward to building sincere relationships and being a positive, caring presence in the neighborhood.”
Saint Michael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is located at 800 22nd Street and is open every Sunday from 5 a.m. to noon, with liturgy at 7 a.m.
Steven J. Moss 
Jessica Zimmer 