Argaw says she contacted an Ethiopian priest, and they organized services in Ethiopian. For months, the congregation moved from church to church. They currently hold services at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Central Square.
But it's not the same as having their own place.
While a traditional Ethiopian service begins early in the morning, for instance, at St. Peter's they have to begin their service at noon.
But it will not be like this forever.
Argaw says the congregation was recently able to raise enough money to buy a church in Boston, which they will call the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Debreselam St. Michael's Church. They will be able to hold services at whatever time they want.
It is a sign, Argaw says, that they've arrived.
"We are empowered," Argaw says. "We know the enormity of the problems we have, but we are working to deal with them."
"Cambridge is my home," she continues. "I feel it. I know my way here."