A Brief History of the
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
in Piscataway, NJ
When visiting our Church for the first time, newcomers may notice
that the St. George banner states we are St. George Greek Orthodox
Church, New Brunswick, NJ. If asked, we can answer that our Church
did, in fact, have its origins in New Brunswick.
Immigrating from Greece, the founders of the St. George community
settled in the centrally located town of New Brunswick. The nearest
Church at that time was in Newark, and, as the community grew larger,
it was decided that a Greek Orthodox community should be started
in the New Brunswick area. In October 1916 organizational meetings
were begun and on June 2, 1917, the first general meeting was held.
A result of this meeting was the election of the first Board of
Trustees.
The Trustees empowered with the development of this new community
were:
Gregory Konstantakos, President
Orestes Gianopoulos
Demetrios Karamalis
Athanasios Kolokotronis
Nicholas Moundrakis
John Stroumtsos
Zaharias Zaharakis
On July 19, 1917, the Greek Orthodox community of New Brunswick
was incorporated. Sunday liturgies for the members of this new community
were held on the second floor of the Eagles' Hall, on the corner
of Neilson and Church Streets and, as there was no permanent priest,
a different priest officiated each Sunday.
Unfortunately despite the selfless contributions and untiring
efforts of the early parishioners, the new community floundered.
After about a year of existence, the Board of Trustees dissolved
and Church services in the Eagles' Hall were stopped.
Undaunted, a second group of determined men met in 1918 and discussed
how to build a permanent Church. Thus the first St. George building
fund was spear-headed by Nicholas Chilakos, John Stroumtsos, the
Reverend Father Vasilios Daskalakis and Nicholas Konstantakos (who
served as Treasurer). Against strong odds, these men undertook a
major task of raising money for the new Church. Every single Greek
business and every single Greek person were approached for funds
to support the new church. And while this was occurring, church
services were begun again, this time at the Christ Episcopal Church
(also in New Brunswick). At the same time, a Greek School and a
new Board of Trustees were formed. John Stroumtsos was President
of the new Board.
The cost of the new Church was estimated to be $12,770 and the
land on which it would sit would cost $1,300 (total: $14,079). A
mortgage of $5000 was acquired by the new Board from the Middlesex
Title Guarantee Company. The lot on which the new church would stand
was located at 9 River Road in Highland Park. This was considered
a prime location because of its central location and easy accessibility
to people from surrounding towns. Construction began in 1918 and
was completed in 1919. The total cost of this building was $12,770.00.
Imbedded in the cornerstone of this building is a bottle containing
the listing of the first Board of Trustees. Reverend Father George
Spyridakis was the priest when the land was bought, but was later
reassigned to the Newark community. The first priest of the newly
built church was Father Daskalakis.
The early years of this community were difficult. The treasury
often lacked the necessary funds to conduct the Church's business
and the community was called upon to give their time and talents.
Examples of unselfish giving abound. Notable are the following:
the first paint job was paid for by founder Gregory Mackaronis,
Father Daskalakis personally paid for the essentials to outfit the
"Ayia Trapeza" and Nicholas Costas would make repairs to the Church
when needed. All gave gladly because they wanted a strong community.
And because of efforts such as these, the community survived and
grew.
The internal strife in Greece after World War I had an impact
on the Highland Park community. Between 1921-1928 a rift developed
in the community when parishioners took sides on the political issues
affecting Greece. Although few records during those years exist,
it has been recorded that as a result of the rift, there were two
Greek schools and two different congregations that held religious
services simultaneously. During this time the first Greek School
was begun, a constitution was adopted, a choir was formed and the
Philoptochos, St. Barbara, was begun. Eventually the rifts were
resolved and the community moved forward into a post-war era.
The beginning of the World War II saw the flight of many young
first- generation of Greek men of the New Brunswick community go
to war. Sadly, a few did not return. However, during this period,
many of the original founders began to consider the growth of the
St. George community in a post-war era. With veterans returning
to the area and beginning their own families, the founders began
thinking in terms of a new church building which would include a
community center and classrooms for the Sunday School and Greek
School. Thus at the general assembly meeting of December 3, 1944,
a building fund committee was created for the purpose of soliciting
funds for the construction of a new church and community center
with classrooms.
In the years that followed, the fundraising committee continued
it efforts. On May 18, 1954, the committee transferred $45,020 to
the church treasury - the amount collected over the ten-year period.
In March 1959 the general assembly authorized the Board of Trustees
to appoint a committee to study the feasibility of building a new
church and community center. On June 21, 1960, by an overwhelming
majority, the general assembly voted to purchase the land located
at the corner of River Road and Riverview Avenue. Upon this approval
architect William A. Loumos was retained to begin drawing the plans
and specifications as recommended by the Board. Finally, on January
22, 1961, the general assembly voted to approve the plans for a
new church.
In any active and thriving church community, the spiritual guidance
of the Priest is essential. Throughout the history of the Highland
Park church there were several clergy that served the community.
From the year of the first Priest, Father George Spyridakis (1918),
through the tenure of Reverend Father Nicholas Triandaffillou, the
community was served by 12 Priests. In 1930, the records show that
10 Priests served the community beginning with the tenure of Reverend
Father Kanellos Kanellopoulos. Our current Priest, Father Anthony
N. Pappas, joined the community in January 1959 and, in additional
to his clerical duties, served as religious consultant for the new
church.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Church were held on December
3, 1961. Shortly thereafter Rule Construction Company of New Brunswick
began construction. Nine months later, in September 1962, volunteers
painted the assembly hall and classrooms. Finally, on December 23,
1962, the first liturgy was held in the new service. Father Pappas
blessed the rooms, assembly hall and Church and Communion was administered
in the new Church. In March 1963, the Highland Park church was sold
to the Byelorussian Autocephalic Orthodox Church of St. Mary of
Zurovicy at a price of $30,000.
On May 25, 1969 the new Church was consecrated. The community
grew quickly and it soon became evident that it was out-growing
the Church building. In 1988 an addition was completed providing
additional classroom and meeting room space. And, as the community
grew, so did the need for a second priest. In 1991, Father John
E. Constantine joined the community. Father Constantine served the
community until 1995 when he left to continue his service in the
U.S. Navy. The following fall, Father John Theodosion joined the
community. Father's ordination into the priesthood was held in the
Church 1996. And also in that year, the community celebrated the
45th anniversary of Father Pappas' ordination to the priesthood.
In 2001, Father Pappas reached a golden milestone, 50 years as a
Priest! Father John Theodosion became Proistamenos in 2002 and served
the communiy until April 2004. As of May 1st, 2004, the V. Rev.
Archimandrite Alexander Kile was appointed as the new Proistamenos.
In writing any history of a community, it is difficult to write
about the very early years in a few paragraphs. The sacrifices made
by those first members cannot be understated. These people worked
tirelessly, volunteered their talents, and gave of their time and
money without complaint. Every effort on their part, either large
or small, made the first Church that much stronger and gave us the
impetus to move forward to another edifice when it became necessary.
The founders left us with a legacy to continue into the new millennium
and beyond.
Sources: St. George Greek Orthodox Church yearbooks: 1969
and 1992
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