The Ethiopian community in Montreal, particularly those adhering to Orthodox Tewahedo Christianity, has remained relatively small for several years. The process of establishing an Ethiopian Orthodox church was gradual, beginning in the mid-1990s when a handful of young Ethiopian Orthodox Christians began gathering in private homes for prayer. Subsequently, motivated by determined individuals, discussions commenced regarding the formation of an official church. On January 14, 1995, approximately twenty to thirty members convened at the Ethiopian community office, marking the inaugural meeting of the Church and appointing its first parish council.

The subsequent challenge involved securing a suitable place of worship and identifying individuals capable of leading religious services—a priest, deacon, or knowledgeable volunteer. Weekly Sunday prayers commenced on January 22, 1995, in the basement hall of Syrian St. George's Church. The naming of the Tabot as Medhanealem resulted from a selection process using a random draw repeated three times, each time yielding the same name – Medhanealem! Earlier, in 1991, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Canada had been established in Toronto as a legally recognized religious institution, and it was agreed that the newly formed Montreal Medhanealem Church would operate as a branch thereof.

Through sustained efforts—including prayer, fundraising, and support from Orthodox Ethiopians in neighboring cities—the congregation overcame significant challenges. In 2011, the Church acquired its first dedicated building, and in November 2023, it expanded into a larger facility. Today, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Medhanealem Church functions on its own premises, staffed by a priest and few deacons, with increased capacity and an expanded congregation. It is officially registered as a charitable religious organization.