TIME LINE \ Archangel Michael

Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, 401 12th St., Campbell, has had three priests during its 50-year history. The Very Rev. George T. Pappas arrived at Archangel Michael on Nov. 5, 1955, and participated in the first Divine Liturgy eight days later, with clergy from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He remained at the church until 1997. Milestones accomplished:
1958: The parish rectory was built on the same grounds as the church.
1963: A cemetery was established next to St. John Russian Orthodox cemetery and a cemetery chapel was built in conjunction with St. John Russian Orthodox Church.
1969: The Parish General Assembly made a commitment to build a parish center, where youth could congregate and participate in athletic programs. The church basement also was remodeled and nine classrooms added. Membership reached 300 families.
1970: The parish center was completed and dedicated.
1975: The parish celebrated its 20th anniversary and membership reached 365 families.
March 15, 1979: The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate elevated the Sixth Archdiocesan District (Pittsburgh) to the Diocese of Pittsburgh. On April 27, 1979, Bishop Maximos was enthroned as the first Bishop of Pittsburgh. He has celebrated the Feast Day of Archangel Michael annually with the local church.
1979: The mortgage on the parish center was paid off, six years ahead of schedule.
1980: The church celebrated its 25th anniversary and the parish reached 395 families.
1995: The parish celebrated its 40th anniversary. Sanctuary projects of the dome, additional Byzantine iconography and installation of a functioning bell tower were completed. The current icons were cleaned and restored, new iconography was created by iconographer George Papastamatiou of Chicago and stain-glass windows were installed. Donations paid for the $150,000. During the same period, the old dome was replaced and a smaller dome installed on the bell tower. The project cost about $100,000. The Ladies Philoptochos Society donated $35,000 for the tower bell and the electronic carillon, which plays Greek Orthodox hymns. The church also bought property for a new church cemetery for $35,000. At the anniversary celebration, the parish surprised Father Pappas by dedicating the church social hall as the Rev. George T. Pappas Community Center.
1997: Father Pappas, who received several elevations during his time at the church, retired from active ministry and moved to Fort Myers, Fla.
August 1997: The Rev. Alexander Goussetis was assigned as pastor. He established The Messenger, the parish's bimonthly newsletter, created a Sunday bulletin for each Sunday liturgy, and initiated the parish bookstore. He also held an Orthodox study group and promoted a women's group. During his seven-year tenure, the church developed the new cemetery property and built and furnished a new chapel.
2003: George Condoleon was hired as parish youth director.
2004: Membership reached 585 families.
July 11, 2004: Father Goussetis moved to Lancaster, Pa., to accept his new assignment as pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Aug. 15, 2004: The Rev. Steve Denas was assigned as pastor. A parish highlight was the expansion and renovation of the parish center, a project undertaken by the Philoptochos Society.
2005: Proceeds from the 50th anniversary event will go to the expansion and renovation of the church.
Source: Information from a church history by the Rev. Steve Denas, current pastor of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church.