Shoubra was an agricole land till the beginning of this century's teens. It had no churches at all. Some copts decided to build a coptic church in shoubra. They assembled "The Coptic Orthodox Association In Shoubra" for this reason.
Their first meeting was held on 31 March 1922. They obtained an amount of (4.20 EGP), four Egyptian pounds and 20/100 only as a primary amount to be paid for the land.
The land which was more suitable to build the church on, was owned by "Sa'adat Kanary Basha". Its dimensions were 30X40 m. The property contract had been signed on 3 April 1923 in rate of 1.00 EGP/m2.
The royal ordinance Edict N:56 was issued on 11 July 1923 signed by H.R.H King Fouad I King of Egypt as a permission for building a coptic orthodox church in shoubra. This royal ordinance was announced in the Egyptian official magazine "El Waqa'e" issued # 75 on July 1923.

A wooden chapel with pulpit was temporarily assembled on the ground. H.H. Pope Cyril 5 opened it 6 November 1923. The association decided to name the church in the name of St. Mary as a commemoration of the Golden Jubilee ( 50th Anneversary.) off H.H. Pope Cyril 5 which was celebrated on 1924.

This decision has been written on excellent paper in a frame and is hanged in the church meeting room till today.

On 7 November 1924, H.H. Pope Cyril 5 has founded the 1st store in the church eastward (Copt.: the Kenf). This foundation has a lead box including:

• The Holy Bible.
• A signed memoir from presence.
• The church drawings.
• The present day's Journals and magazines.
• A memento medal of H.H Pope Cyril 5 golden Jubilee.
• Egyptian Currency, coins and change. e.g. Pound, Reyal, piaster, millimes,...etc.