A Brief History of Our Community

 

"Old Evangelismos" in Philadelphia, 1908-1963

In the 1870s, Greek immigrants from various parts of the Eastern Mediterranean region began settling in Philadelphia. As their numbers grew, they established the Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia in 1901 to provide for divine worship and to preserve the Orthodox faith and Hellenic culture. This was the sixth Greek Orthodox Church established in the United States. On February 28, 1907, the Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia petitioned the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a Charter of Incorporation, granted on May 10, 1907. Having raised sufficient funds, the community purchased All Saints Episcopal Church at 745 S. 12th Street on November 13, 1908. The building was converted into an Orthodox Holy Temple dedicated to the Evangelismos/Annunciation. Many parishioners remember their earlier years at what they affectionately call “Old Evangelismos,” a safe harbor for Greek Orthodox immigrants and their offspring for over sixty years.

RELOCATION TO ELKINS PARK & UPPER DARBY

To accommodate the relocation of its parishioners to the northern and western suburbs of the city, the parish was apportioned in 1963, with some parishioners forming St. Demetrios Parish in Upper Darby, and others relocating to 504 Elkins Avenue in Elkins Park, a few blocks from the present location. On June 8, 1968, the Hellenic Cultural Center's construction began on this site, formerly the Whitaker estate. The Cultural Center was dedicated in 1969, and the Holy Temple opened for worship on November 19, 1972, with Archbishop Iakovos presiding at the Thyranoixia (“door opening” ceremony). That day, George and Lopi Pavlis came forward to become Godparents of the Holy Temple and were honored to turn the key and ceremoniously open the door.

The church architecture is patterned after the Byzantine Paleologian style of the eleventh century. The religious/cultural complex includes a fellowship hall, a dozen classrooms, a library, two parish offices, and a magnificent Holy Temple “second to none in America,” in the words of Archbishop Iakovos. Demetrios Siderakis of New York designed the entire complex, assisted locally by architect Alfred Olexy. Luckens Construction Company of North Wales erected it. One of our parishioners, a patent lawyer/ engineer, Themis C. Pailas, personally supervised every construction phase from beginning to end. His contribution of time and talent was invaluable. Nicholas Ikaris of New York City designed the religious artifacts of the Holy Temple, and George Filippakis of New York City and George Gleatas from Athens wrote the prominent iconography. The marble Altar, Baptistery, and inside and outside columns were imported from Greece.

OUR CONSECRATION

Our beloved Archbishop Demetrios of America officiated at the blessed Consecration, or Baptism, of our Holy Temple on October 6 - 7, 2001; this coincided with the centennial anniversary of the founding of our community in South Philadelphia in 1901.

PARKING LOT COMPLETION & COURTYARD BEAUTIFICATION

The original plans for the Annunciation complex included an attractive courtyard and parking lot. However, other projects have demanded the community’s attention and resources over the years. Ten years ago, parish leadership initiated a final push to complete the redesign and paving of the parking lot (using the engineering expertise and blueprints of George E. Pappas) along with new landscaping for the courtyard to include a fountain and proskinitaria. Today, we see the beautiful fruits of much planning, labor, and generous giving on the part of many members of the Annunciation community.

By God's grace, the Church of Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia has served as a guiding light for Orthodoxy and Hellenism in the Delaware Valley, from its humble beginnings in South Philadelphia to its present location in Elkins Park.

ANNUNCIATION PASTORS

Early priests who served our parish were missionaries. They traveled great distances between Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, and New York to serve the needs of the new immigrants.

The following priests are on record as serving our community since 1904:

Interim Priests (1901-1904)
Rev. Nathaniel Sideris (1904)
Rev. Theodore Proussianos (1906)
Rev. Demetrios Petrides (1907-1911)
Rev. Raphael Morgan (1907-1916) A convert from Jamaica, Fr. Raphael was ordained at the Ecumenical Patriarchate and is believed to be the first Black Orthodox priest in America.
Rev. Chrysanthos Kaplanis (1911)
Rev. Christos Angelopoulos (1912-1918)
Rev. Dionysios Papadatos (1918-1922)
Rev. Thomas Daniel (1922)
Rev. John Kyriazis (1922-1925)
Rev. Constantine Papanicolaou (1926)
Rev. John Danaskos (1926-1930)
Rev. Vasilios Papanikas (1931)
Rev. Constantine Hatzidemetriou (1932)
Rev. John Gerotheou (1933)
Rev. Aimilianos Lalousis (1934)
Rev. Demetrios Papantoniou (1935-1937)
Rev. Chrysostom Morkides (1937-1961)

In Elkins Park

Rev. Neophytos Spyrogiannakis (1961-1965) During his tenure, the parish relocated to Elkins Park.
Rev. Joackim Isidoridis (1965)
Rev. George Papademetriou (1965-1967)
Rev. Paul Economides (1968-1970)
Rev. John Limberakis (1970-1990)
Rev. Anastasius Bandy (1990) Interim Priest
Rev. Robert Archon (1990-2006)
Rev. Christos Christofidis (2006-2014)
Rev. John L. Johns (2014-)

Annunciation Parish Council Presidents since relocation to Elkins Park

  • Charles Mellanos (1960-1961)
  • George Goumas (1962)
  • James Stamos (1963-1964)
  • Evangelos Papanicolaou (1965)
  • Constantine Stephano (1966)
  • Anthony Borden (1967-1976)
  • Pat Margas (1977-1978)
  • Theodore Mackrides (1979-1980)
  • Thomas Salvarlis (1981-1982)
  • Anthony Chokas (1983-1984)
  • Anna Skylakon (1985-1986)
  • George Sandilos (1987-1988)
  • Anthony Chokas (1989-1990)
  • Peter Pitsakis (1991)
  • George Pappas (1992)
  • Kostas Zervoudis (1993)
  • Michael Neromiliotis (1994)
  • George Ballas (1995)
  • Dean Dalson (1996-1997)
  • John Avgiris (1998-1999)
  • Lillian Borden (2000-2001)
  • Peter Gouris (2002-2003)
  • Paul Fisfis (2004)
  • Diane Saphos (2005-2006)
  • Gus Konugres (2007-2008)
  • Ginny Markos (2009)
  • Peter Hadgimallis (2010-2011)
  • Peter Gouris (2012-2014)
  • Russell Penning (2015-2016)
  • Cathy Avgiris (2017- 2019)
  • Constantine Dalson (2020- )


Click the title below for the story of The Original Evangelismos in South Philadelphia:

WHEN RISING SUN CAUGHT FIRE
By Haralambos Kyriakodis
July 25, 2012