church history

church history

St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church, 4955 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, will mark its 100th anniversary with a weekend celebration. On Oct. 17, there will be vespers at 5 p.m. followed by a banquet at church. On Oct. 18, orthros will be at 8:30 a.m. with Hierarchal Liturgy at 10 a.m. with Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, who served St. John as pastor from 1964 to August 1971, and Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh.

1915: A 15-man committee, led by Vasilios Chelekis, meets Dec. 5 to enlist new members and request a state charter. The Rev. Neophytos Josepheos is the first pastor, officiating at services at Youngstown YMCA.

1920s: Cornerstone of the first church is laid at 109 W. Woodland Ave., Youngstown. Archbishop Alexander officiates. The Three Hierarchs Ladies Society gifted the church with a crystal chandlier from Vienna, Austria. The chandelier now illuminates the narthex of the church in Boardman. The first wedding at the church was for Emmanuel and Potitsa Chelekis in November 1921.

1940s: Bishop Germanos assisted by the Very Rev. Germanos Liamides, pastor, consecrate the church Sept. 11, 1949.

1960s: In 1964, the General Assembly approves a request of the church to find a new site. A building committee adopts the slogan “A Dream, A Vision, A Reality.” Bishop Theodosios blessed the ground assisted by the Rev. James Demetriades, pastor. Groundbreaking was July 17, 1965. Cornerstone is set July 10, 1966, with Bishop Meletios as celebrant and the Rev. Isaiah Chronopoulos, pastor. On Nov. 30, 1969, the new church is consecrated by Archbishop Iakovoas and Father Chronopoulos.

1976: The mortgage is burned during a ceremony with Bishop Gerasimnos assisted by the Rev. John Alexander, pastor.

1990: 75th anniversary is marked with Bishop Isaiah and the Very Rev. George Giannaris, pastor. Dr. Manuel Tzagournis spoke.