Saint George is celebrating its centennial anniversary. For one hundred years at its original location, Saint George has been and is an important center for the Greek-American community and an integral part of the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

As most of the first Greek Orthodox churches in Chicago, Saint George was established by immigrants and served as a home away from home. In 1923, under the leadership of Reverend A. Mandilaris, local leaders of the then Greek community purchased an existing church building and adjoining lots for $5,000. The church was officially named Saint George on January 9, 1923 and was adapted for Orthodox worship holding its first liturgy in April 1923.

Much effort was devoted to beautifying the interior of the church.  A hand-carved wooden iconostation was obtained from the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church then located in the city’s south side Englewood neighborhood.  The iconostation and the church’s wall were beautified with traditional Byzantine style iconography painted by the late master iconographer John Terzis.  St. George has some of the finest examples of Byzantine iconography in the Midwest. 

The founding priest was the Very Reverend Archimandrite Daniel Golemis a graduate of the School of Theology of the University of Athens and a lawyer. He was well known for his promotion of both the Orthodox Faith and the Greek language such so that he established the Greek School simultaneously with the parish.

One hundred years after its founding, Saint George hums with activity.  It continues to be a staple of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, a foundation for the Greek community in Illinois, and a beacon of stewardship and philanthropy. The original families could look with pride on the church they founded a century ago, knowing that the generations who followed them remained true to the three tenets inscribed in every Greek’s heart: love of country, love of family and love of God.