About our Parish
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church: The First 100 Years
Written and compiled by Basil N. Tolos
The first Greeks arrived in Fitchburg around 1885 and by the turn of the century their numbers grew steadily. Lacking a church in Fitchburg, the Greeks traveled to Lowell and occasionally to Boston for Liturgy and sacraments. By 1912, their desire for a house of worship of their own increased. By 1913, the first traveling priest came to Fitchburg to officiate at baptisms and weddings held in homes. In 1914, the frist resident priest, Rev. Gabriel Pandiliou (1914-1915) was sent to Fitchburg. Services were then held in a hall above the Liggett Drug Co., and later, Brooks Pharmacy, at Main and Oliver Streets. The arrival of this first resident priest marked the beginning of Holy Trinity in Fitchburg.
Wanting to formalize their religious practices, the Greek community applied to the state for a charter. In July of 1916 a charter was granted and we were incorporated as The Hellenic Orthodox Community Holy Trinity of Fitchburg, MA. With the arrival of Rev. Nikodemus Economou (1916-1919), the community attended services in a home at 1201 Main St., where an altar was set up and icons were hung on the walls. The parishioners increased to more than one hundred in number and they out grew this house. A new site for Sunday services was established at 900 Main St., in the upper common at The Nickel Theatre and where Debonis the Florist is presently located.
Contributions were collected for the purpose of building a Greek Orthodox church in Fitchburg. William G. Gelep went among businessmen of the city in his book "Eighty Years Around the World" stated "a prominent Greek by the name of Papazisis donated a corner lot on whcih this church would be built. The design was drawn up and on January 16, 1918 an article in the Fitchburg Sentinel stated that the Greeks were to begin construction of a church at the corner of Main and Caldwell Streets. This was right in the middle of "Greek Town" and parishioners could walk to the church. Individual contribution from the Greek community as well as generous donations from industries and businesses aided the fundraising efforts. The corner-stone of our permanent parish was laid on October 23 1921.
The church was constructed to function both as a church and a school with the lower floor divided into classrooms for the Sunday School and Greek School and a stage. The upper floor has the sanctuary, the nave and a balcony before the Templos (Icon Screen) were 26 oil paintings in all. Eight main panels surmounted by eighteen miniatures which represented moments in the lives of Christ and the saints. Adrianos Karvelas, an artist from Lowell, MA is credited for most of that work along with additions later by Xenophon E. Gamvas, a local iconographer. The dedication of Holy Trinity Church took place on Sunday, July 30, 1922 with Rev. Peter Christakos (1922-1923) officiating.
Between 1922 and 1928 there were 6 priests who came to serve as celebrants of Holy Trinity. In 1928, Rev. John Michaelides came to Fitchburg and served as spiritual leader for three decades. Each year Fr. John directed student plays and poetry readings in Greek. HE was loved and respected both within our parish and in the greater Fitchburg area. He retired in 1958, but stayed on to assist in Liturgy.
In September of 1922, 32 women of our community formed a group to assist the Lord's church wherever and whenever it was needed. They chose to call themselves the Society of Hope, the Elpis Society. They stayed an active organization who worked for our church until they disbanded in 2008. The Philoptochos Ladies Group took over their great work both locally and nationally.
Until 1933 the only seats in the Nave were along the North and South walls. The pews (a gift from the Elpis Ladies Society) were installed and a choir was organized. In 1949 a fine organ was added to the church. During those first twenty years after the dedication of the new church, the parish grew to one hundred and eighty families and the Sunday School enrolled forty students.
The men of our community established the Men's Fraternal Club of Holy Trinity in 1952. This organization has provided religious and social fellowship to our community ever since. They also sponsored church sports teams and Sunday School trips.
In 1952-53, the first major change occurred to the church building, enlarging the origional church with the main entrance now facing Main Street. This enclosed the stairs to the new Narthex and office. New Maple pews were added to match the old ones, the balcony was removed and the choir was seated in the rear of the church in the new area behind the organ. An impressive and handsome crystal chandelier was suspended from the church ceiling in the Nave. Magnificent brass floor candelabras were stationed on either side of the altar and electrified lantern-type lights suspended from the Templon added to the beauty of the sanctuary. The bell rope was removed and now electric switches controlled the bell. On the first floor under the Narthex a kitchen and bathrooms were added.
A beautiful wood-carved icon stand (Proskynetarion) was imported from Cyprus and was dedicated on February 19, 1955, a generous gift of the Men's Fraternal Club. In 1959 a white marble altar was imported from Italy and was placed in the sanctuary.
On August 12, 1961, Rev. Solon Tsandikos (1958-1963) announced through the local media that two wall murals of the Pantocrator, the four Evangelists, the Platytera and the Twelve Apostles and 26 stained glass windows were to be installed in Holy Trinity Church. The paintings were done by Stellos Maris of New York City. The six corinthian columns in the church were marbleized with the topes painted in gold leaf. Also, two new cut-glass chandeliers were suspended from the ceiling adding to the overall beauty of the church.
Upon completion of the adornment of the church, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America was scheduled to consecrate the Holy Trinity Church on October 7, 1962, but in his absence Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos presided over the festivities of the consecration.
On November 6 and 7, 1971, celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the edifice, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos visited the parish and participated in the liturgical and social celebrations.
Rev. Nicholas Ksethias arrived in 1963 and stayed until 1969. Rev. Demetrios Michaelides, the son of Rev. John Michaelides, came to Fitchburg to serve as our priest in 1969 and left to serve at another parish in 1980.
On May 24, 1986 Rev. Panagiotis K. Giannakopoulos (1985-1990) broke ground. Steven S. Svolis, from South Side Designs, drew the plans of the new offices and conference room, Leo H. Xarras completed the job by beautifully blending the old and new additions to the building. On November 16, 1986, His Grace Bishop Methodios of Boston, assisted by priests who had formerly served in our church. Governor Michael Dukakis, Mayor Chartrand of Fitchburg and other local dignitaries and civil official, numerous guest and parishioners witnessed the dedication ceremonies.
New carpeting of the church stairs, Narthex and the sanctuary was already installed by the Ladies Hope Society.
Beginning on January 1, 1987, the church abandoned the old dues system and began practicing stewardship, program of giving to the church. No past dues were requested and all parishioners were challenged to practice fair share. That year the income of the church doubled and the program has been a continuous success story for the church.
Authentic Byzantine iconography was completed, in the Narthex with the Hospitality of Abraham/Holy Trinity and the entire altar walls by Easter of 1997 by Iconographer George Kopsidas from Athens, Greece. On January 3, 1988, new wood-carved main doors were completed and dedicated in loving memory of Protopresbyter John Michaelides.
A new side door was opened onto Caldwell Street to facilitate entry for the handicapped and elderly people in anticipation of the elevator which someday will access the Narthex from the first floor. The bathrooms will be remodeled and some renovations will occur in the Narthex. Air-conditioners of the church, hall and the new offices were also added.
With the establishment of the Tree of Life account, (The Tree is located as you enter the main doors of the church), main projects have been undertaken. The offices were completed and furnished, a computer system was purchased, new doors all around the building along with the main doors were purchased with donations from the Elpis, the Daughters of Penelope and an existing fund; new iron railings were installed around the church yard, and numerous other projects were accomplished and will continue to come into fruition.
The Men's Club Furnished the conference and library room and purchased book and video materials to equip our borrowing library. The parish council sponsored a child from Cyprus. Philanthropy became a line item of the budget and a true Christian mission to the community. Many church artifacts were donated to the church by many parishoners at this time. In 1989, iconography for the west wall of the church was completed through the donations of parishioners.
In 1993 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church along with 11 other Orthodox churches in Worcester County- the CEOC Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches- began construction of Holy Trinity nursing and Rehab Center. This 1113 bed facility is the only Pan-Orthodox nursing home in the entire world. It is still active today after 20 years and has acquired another building as a hospice residence and for future activities.
The end year of 1993 proved to be a very trying time for the parishioners of Holy Trinity. Father Peter Gregory (1990-1993) left to serve another parish in July. We had 6 months with only visiting priests. On December 16, 1993, we talked to Fr. Demetrios Demopoulos (1993-2003) about serving as our full-time priest as soon as he was ordained. In the early morning of December 17, 1993, a faulty furnace sparked a three-alarm fire in our beloved church which stood as our house of worship for 72 years. The word spread throughout our community about the fire and many of us stood and watched the firemen fight to save this building. Fr. Demopoulos and Fr. Gregory both came to comfort parishioners. When the firemen finally extinguished the flames, we were admitted into the building. It was so sad to see the entryway blackened and teh damage to the rest of the structure. Flames destroyed the first floor. The kitchen, classroom areas and stage were completely burned out. The large TV screen that was on stage was a melted pile of plastic and burned wood. The piano was burned to charcoal. The 3 offices in the addition were spared because the doors were closed. The stairway and second floor sanctuary, Nave and Narthex were scarred by fire and damaged by water. The wall icons were black from soot. Six of the stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ were damaged by the firemen trying to vent the building. The pieces of glass were carefully gathered up and sent out to be repaired and reassembled. Two of the main columns were cut open by the firemen to prevent the fire from reaching the attic area which would have completely destroyed the whole building. As soon as the fire was out, parishioners picked up and carried out all the artifacts, icon stands, and religious items from the altar that they could and stored them in the Karis house across the street. Then Fr. Gregory led us in a Prayer of Thanksgiving for sparing the church from complete destruction. The estimated damage to the church edifice was well over $700,000.
The parishioners with the help of Mr. Xarras's crew completely cleaned the pews, stands, altar and pulled up rugs. The walls were painted, the columns repaired and painted, and a new furnace was installed in time for Christmas Liturgy a few weeks later. All the registry books for baptisms, weddings, and funerals were retrieved from the offices with no damage.
We again called on the services of Steven Svolis to design the first floor with handicapped bathrooms a larger kitchen and an entrance to the new elevator. Leo Xarras was the contractor again.
So after ten months of cleaning, repairing and painting, adding a new kitchen and handicap bathrooms, refinishing the pews and gold leafed columns, replacing the repaired stained glass windows, cleaning the murals and icons and the addition of an elevator, we celebrated Holy Trinity's rebirth with a Divine Liturgy and Dinner Dance on October 29, 1994. At this time, we must thank the many area churches who offered aid and a place to worship until we could get back into our own church. Also, to those who had fundraiser events to raise money for Holy Trinity.
In 2004, we purchased land across the street from the church to be used as a parking lot. The Hope Luncheon and other outreach missions were established soon after Fr. Demopoulos was sent to another parish and 6 months later Fr. Harry Providakis (2004-2011) came to serve as a part time priest. In July of 2012 Fr. Paul Bebis came to Holy Trinity and is our present priest. He reestablished the Greek School, Bible Study and Orthodoxy 101 classes. He also serves at Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehab Center for Wednesday Liturgy for the residents of Holy Trinity when he is called to serve.
The church throughout its numerous activities and functions, both religious and social is the reflection of its people. The faith that we possess and lived is expressed in whatever we do. We celebrate the Greek Orthodox community in Fitchburg with its annual festival and invite our neighbors near and far to celebrate with us. We thank all those hard working volunteers from the past 100+ years with the help of God opened Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and kept our activities and traditions alive. We also want to thank all those future volunteers whose hard work will keep this church open for future generations.
In 2014 we celebrated our first one hundred years in Fitchburg with activities throughout the year. We hope that our great, great grandchildren will be able to celebrate the 200th anniversary because of the legacy we leave them.
On April 27, 2014 Metropolitan Methodios of Boston officiated in the Divine Liturgy and then celebrated with us as a grand dinner/dance to commemorate this 100th anniversary of Holy Trinity.
God bless our Holy Trinity parish and all our parishioners.
The History of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Fitchburg was compiled and written by Basil N. Tolos
References:
History of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Fitchburg, March 25 1965, Paper by the Bulletin Committee- William Michaels, Paul Stamas, Charles N> Nikitas, Peter L. Stathis
Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise
The Establishment and Progress of the Greek Community of Fitchburg Massachusetts (First Fifty Years), April 21, 1958, Manuscript by Kyracos Charles Kopley
75th Anniversary - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 1989, by Fr. Panagiotis K. Giannakopoulos and teh Adbook Committee