David the Prophet and St. Karas Coptic Orthodox Church was founded April 2011, with the inaugural liturgy prayed by His Grace Bishop Paula of Tanta and His Grace Bishop David from the Diocese of New York and New England in April 2011. The Church was founded by a group of approximately 25 families in the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey area who were desirous to have a local parish to celebrate the Divine liturgy and sacraments of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is the first church in North America to be consecrated with the name of an Old Testament prophet—David the Prophet. The Church ministers and serves the area of Northwest Bergen County and the surrounding communities.

 

At the time it was founded, it represented the 172nd incorporated Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States, and as of March 2021 there are now over 260 churches incorporated in the United States and growing.

 

David the Prophet and St. Karas Coptic Orthodox Church is tax-exempt religious institution under IRC Sec. 501(c)(3).

 

It should be noted that the first Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States, was the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark, Jersey City, New Jersey, which was incorporated in 1968.