HISTORY
Many Greeks came to South Australia during the 1950’s. Most of the migrants were single men who were seeking employment and found these in rural or urban areas. The new migrants brought with them the core values of family, customs, culture and their Greek Orthodox faith. At the end of 1959, a number of residents decided to collect signatures from those interested in the development of a new church and community in the Thebarton/Mile End area. On 14 December 1959, they sent the signatures to the Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand and approval was received from the late Archbishop Ezekiel, in a letter dated 4 January 1960. The Community of Saint George sprung into life in 1960. At the beginning of 1960, the Community and Church of Saint George Thebarton were established with the blessing of the Archbishop of Australia Ezekiel.
During the first few months, the aim was to find suitable facilities to accommodate the religious requirements of the community. The Methodist Church on the corner of South Road and Lurline Street, Mile End was Chosen, where the first service was held on the 3rd of April 1960. Concurrently, efforts were made to purchase suitable land for building the Church. The Committee announced the proposal to the congregation and wider community, seeking their financial support for building the Church of Saint George. The Executive Committee invited the members of the community to a special meeting on 1 November 1960, the primary focus being to discuss the purchase of land and building of a church. As a result of the meeting, a prefabricated corrugated iron church was erected on 60 Rose Street, Thebarton and provided the venue for the community’s religious requirements.
In 1963, plans were made to build a new Byzantine Church. During the first 6 months of 1965, the architectural plans were developed and sent to Archbishop Ezekiel for approval. The plans were modified with the removal of the dome because the church was not a Byzantine model but of basilica design.Archbishop Ezekiel laid the foundation stone for Saint George Church on 25 November 1965.
In July 1966, the dream became a reality – the Church of Saint George was completed. Archbishop Ezekiel conducted the official opening of the Church on 14 August 1966. In June 1970, the Community of Saint George commenced a new period of progress and expansion with the appointment of Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris.
In June 1970, the Community of Saint George commenced a new period of progress with the appointment of Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris. Reverend Father Patsouris commenced his new role with zeal, vision and energy in order to generate sufficient funds to exchange the inside of the Church with additional religious furniture and fixtures; to improve the outside of the Church and to expand the Community’s programs.
The development of a bilingual Greek Orthodox College was the dream and vision of Reverend Father Patsouris who initiated discussions with relevant people in the Greek and Australian community since 1980. As a result of the AGM meeting in 1982, a committee comprising of Father Patsouris, Mr John Kiosoglous and two representatives from the Community visited the Premier of South Australia, Honourable David Tonkin, to discuss the creation of a bilingual Greek Orthodox College. Saint George College opened its doors in February 1984, with 27 children in Years 1, 2 and 3. By the end of 1984 there were 34 students.
During the 25 years of operation and progression of the College, many people have contributed in the development of the first bilingual Greek Orthodox College in South Australia. The leadership, tireless efforts, personal commitment and financial assistance, provided by Mr Basil Taliangis over the last 25 years, is applauded. The continued encouragement, blessing, spiritual guidance and support of our Primate, Archbishop Stylianos and the successive state Bishops has contributed to the ethos of the College and enabled it to proceed successfully to this level.
Saint George Community and Parish is strong and dynamic, with plans for expansion in the range of activities and services it can provide to its parishioners and the Greek community in the western suburbs as well as the wider Australian community.
During the first few months, the aim was to find suitable facilities to accommodate the religious requirements of the community. The Methodist Church on the corner of South Road and Lurline Street, Mile End was Chosen, where the first service was held on the 3rd of April 1960. Concurrently, efforts were made to purchase suitable land for building the Church. The Committee announced the proposal to the congregation and wider community, seeking their financial support for building the Church of Saint George. The Executive Committee invited the members of the community to a special meeting on 1 November 1960, the primary focus being to discuss the purchase of land and building of a church. As a result of the meeting, a prefabricated corrugated iron church was erected on 60 Rose Street, Thebarton and provided the venue for the community’s religious requirements.
In 1963, plans were made to build a new Byzantine Church. During the first 6 months of 1965, the architectural plans were developed and sent to Archbishop Ezekiel for approval. The plans were modified with the removal of the dome because the church was not a Byzantine model but of basilica design.Archbishop Ezekiel laid the foundation stone for Saint George Church on 25 November 1965.
In July 1966, the dream became a reality – the Church of Saint George was completed. Archbishop Ezekiel conducted the official opening of the Church on 14 August 1966. In June 1970, the Community of Saint George commenced a new period of progress and expansion with the appointment of Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris.
In June 1970, the Community of Saint George commenced a new period of progress with the appointment of Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris. Reverend Father Patsouris commenced his new role with zeal, vision and energy in order to generate sufficient funds to exchange the inside of the Church with additional religious furniture and fixtures; to improve the outside of the Church and to expand the Community’s programs.
The development of a bilingual Greek Orthodox College was the dream and vision of Reverend Father Patsouris who initiated discussions with relevant people in the Greek and Australian community since 1980. As a result of the AGM meeting in 1982, a committee comprising of Father Patsouris, Mr John Kiosoglous and two representatives from the Community visited the Premier of South Australia, Honourable David Tonkin, to discuss the creation of a bilingual Greek Orthodox College. Saint George College opened its doors in February 1984, with 27 children in Years 1, 2 and 3. By the end of 1984 there were 34 students.
During the 25 years of operation and progression of the College, many people have contributed in the development of the first bilingual Greek Orthodox College in South Australia. The leadership, tireless efforts, personal commitment and financial assistance, provided by Mr Basil Taliangis over the last 25 years, is applauded. The continued encouragement, blessing, spiritual guidance and support of our Primate, Archbishop Stylianos and the successive state Bishops has contributed to the ethos of the College and enabled it to proceed successfully to this level.
Saint George Community and Parish is strong and dynamic, with plans for expansion in the range of activities and services it can provide to its parishioners and the Greek community in the western suburbs as well as the wider Australian community.