The History of St. George Greek Orthodox Church of New Port Richey.

In the month of April of 1982 a handful of people living in the area of New Port Richey, Florida, embarked on a project to develop the nucleus of a new Orthodox community, which would later be known as St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

It took months of preparation, but their efforts culminated to that blessed day when the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on November 14, 1982 at Gulf Harbors Civic Center in New Port Richey by Fr. Constantine Volaitis. For some, it may have been evident in tears of joy, for others, it may have expressed itself in the brilliant smiles on their faces. This was the beginning of something blessed and wonderful.

Regular Sunday services began to be held at the former Faupel Chapel on U.S. 19 in Port Richey (today, Patio Furniture), at a rental of $1000.00 per month. On February 20, 1983, the community began holding its regular Sunday services at the former Branigan's restaurant (currently Kally K's) on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, which was offered to the congregation by the Baskovich/Williams family, at no charge, pending its sale.

Things began to take shape with all the people pulling together to develop into a working community. They formed a Board of Directors, they established a Sunday School, a Choir, a Greek School and other committees to raise funds and assure continued progress. In less than a year, these dedicated people managed to locate and purchase land on Little Road. While they were holding services in various buildings in the Port Richey and New Port Richey area they purchased the land and made plans for the first building, the Community Center.

As the number of parishioners continued to grow, a major fundraising event was held in January, 1984 at the Spartan restaurant and on April 29, His Grace Bishop John of Atlanta came to New Port Richey to take part in the "Ground Breaking Ceremonies". Within 19 months, the Community Center was completed and preparations for the Thyranixia were been made.

Following the celebration of Epiphany at Tarpon Springs, on January 11, 1986, His Eminence, Archbishop lakovos, assisted by Bishop John of Atlanta, and the Hierachs, Bishop lakovos of Chicago, Bishop Sotirios of Toronto and many priests from the Tampa Bay area held the celebration of the Thyranixia of the Community Center.  The Godmother, Mrs. Maria Tsalichis, cut the ribbon and his Eminence, along with Mrs. Tsalichis and Mrs. Helen Kiamos, unlocked and opened the doors to the Center.

This community center was to be the center of the life of the newly founded parish. An altar table, an iconostasio and a Bishop's throne were built, and the Divine Liturgy was now celebrated in the community center. The Ladies' Philoptochos Society made many improvements in the kitchen. Four rooms were created to accommodate the Sunday School and Greek School classes. Additional outside lighting was installed and the parking area was improved. Two storage facilities were added to handle the ever increasing inventory of supplies. The parish of St. George acquired a home and the membership kept growing.

But the restless and ambitious parishioners had envisioned a greater plan - an Orthodox Church Building. All of their energy was now directed toward the new goal. In April 1993, they requested the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Philip. He arrived to officiate at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. George. After the Liturgy a procession was held from the community center to the future site of the new sanctuary. Prayers of thanksgiving and an invocation of the Holy Spirit to hallow the grounds was offered. The shovel was placed into the ground by the Bishop followed by the Council President and the Building Fund Chairman and people began to pledge their financial support. Mr. Evripides Kontos pledged the generous amount of $100,000. Mr. Jim Kordis and other volunteers pledged to put together the Wednesday Dinners in order to raise funds for the Church Building. On Saturday, November 13, 1993 a new Drive for raising Funds was held at a dinner dance at the Spartan Manor. Plans were drawn, permits were issued and by October 1995 construction of the new church was begun.

The project was completed six months ahead of schedule and the first service was held on June 30 1997. The formal thyranixia service was held on November 15, 1997 by His Grace Bishop Alexios. The community of St. George had acquired a beautiful edifice, a testimony of our faith in God and our Orthodox heritage.

That humble beginning of April, 1982, emerged into a most beautiful endeavor as the concept of a small Orthodox community, born in the minds of a few men and women, became eventually a tribute to God in many ways. Here, for many years to come, we will worship our Lord, and witness the Orthodox Faith and life to those around us.

Twenty three years later, our Parish is thriving.  Our church fills up every Sunday and people are spiritually nourished.  The Parish has been revitalized in the last four years under the leadership of Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou.  Now under the leadership of Fr. Michael Petrides, who recently arrived from Holy Transfiguration in Marietta Georgia on August 1st of 2006, we look forward to continued Orthodox witness in our corner of the New World.

Praise be to God!

See the History of Our Parish through Photos