Timeline:
Before 1918 - The more than a thousand Greeks who had come to Sioux City to work in the meat packing industry would travel to Omaha
, Nebraska, 100 miles to the south to attend
an occasional church service.
1918 - The
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church history begins when the more than 500 Greeks, living in Sioux City, attended a meeting at a Knights of Columbus Hall. Led by Paikos K. Pappaphilipopoulos (who later Americanized his name to Peter Nelson), started a fund drive.
1920 - A
corner property near downtown was purchased for $35,000. The parcel included
three houses, one of which they used as a temporary church.
The first pastor was Fr. Constantinos Harvelas.
Spring 1925 - Designed by William L. Steele, construction of the permanent church began and the cornerstone was laid on Annunciation Day.
September 1925 - Construction of the new church was completed.
October 4, 1925 - Formal dedication took place.
July 1928 - A
group of mostly World War I veterans organized Sioux City Chapter 191
of AHEPA under the leadership of George M. Paradise, who went on to
become a municipal judge. They immediately began a campaign to
eliminate the church's debt, and purchased $5,000 in bonds that they
donated to the parish.
1950 - The church and its parishioners celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Holy Trinity. Bishop Athenagoras Kokinakis of San Francisco visited during the celebration and delegations came from communities throughout the tri-state region.
1950's - This was a a period of progress for Holy Trinity. Fr. Constantine Hallick, the
parish's longest tenured priest, and the board of trustees started the
annual church bazaars as a fund-raising source. The bazaars eventually
were replaced by Grecian Dinners which continue to serve as revenue
sources.
Today the bazaars are known as Greek Fest.
February 1996 - The
dedication and perseverance of the community was tested by a fire which
gutted the church's interior. A sixteen member renovation committee
raised the $600,000 needed to restore the interior. Under the direction
and efforts of architect Christ Kamages of San Francisco, iconographer
Elias Damianakis of Florida and woodcarver Steve Kavroulakis of Crete,
the community acquired a new altar, sanctuary, narthex, iconostasion,
and iconography.
1998 - Added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
June 1999 - Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, rededicated the church and called Holy Trinity "a jewel of the Midwest."
Today - The
church continues to serve as the parish house of worship.
It is the oldest Greek Orthodox church building in Iowa and, in physical
size, the largest. Holy Trinity Church is listed on the National
Registry of Historic Buildings and is one of four churches selected by
the local museum for its "Sacred History Tour" of the city.
Info Source:
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church History
National Register of Historic Places Information
Slide show and video:
