Philadelphia, PA – St. George Cathedral Set to Relaunch After Seven-Year Restoration
After seven years of dedicated restoration work, St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia is preparing to relaunch in January 2013. While some repairs will continue in the months ahead, the major reconstruction is nearing completion—marking a new chapter for one of the most historic churches in the city.
Recognized by the City of Philadelphia as a historic site, St. George has long been part of local walking tours and architectural guides. Originally built as St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the structure was designed by noted architect John Haviland, with the cornerstone laid on September 9, 1822. In 1921, a group of Greek immigrant families purchased the church and transformed it into the spiritual home we know today as St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Time, weather, and lack of maintenance took their toll over the years. But now, the original stained-glass windows—nearly two centuries old—have been restored. The wooden floors and marble altar have been repaired or replaced. The long-leaking roof is no longer a threat. Much of the restoration work has been made possible through generous donations from members of the Greek-American community.
For decades, St. George was the heart of Greek Orthodoxy in Center City. During the 1940s through the 1960s, waves of Greek immigrants made their way to Philadelphia, many of them becoming members of the cathedral. A Greek-American day school even operated briefly in the late 1930s and early ’40s.
But like many urban churches, St. George experienced a slow decline in membership as families moved out to the suburbs. New parishes were established in Upper Darby (St. Demetrios), Broomall (St. Luke), and Elkins Park (Evangelismos), drawing much of the next generation away from Center City.
Now, as the cathedral approaches its 200th anniversary, its leaders are focused not only on bricks and mortar but on breathing new life into the parish. Parish Council President Fotis Athanasoulis and Father Costas Cristo spoke of their hopes for growth, renewal, and reconnecting with both former and future members of the community.
To celebrate this new beginning, St. George will host a Gala event on Thanksgiving weekend—Sunday, November 25, 2012—at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, New Jersey. The evening will recognize those who helped make the restoration possible and raise additional funds to continue the work.
For more details about the Gala or to support the restoration efforts, visit the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral website. As the church nears its 200th birthday, its doors are opening wide once again—to its history, its future, and the community that has always called it home.