Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Orthodox Churches on Waymarking.com

An excerpt from the Church's website:

"Parish History

Many of the first generation Greek immigrants of Pittsburgh lacked financial means, a formal education, or a working command of the English language, but these pioneers dedicated themselves to building a church on the North Side – an area that had become heavily populated with Greek Orthodox people. As a result, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church came into being in 1923.

When St. Nicholas Church, the only Greek church in Pittsburgh, was moved from Wiley Avenue downtown to the then distant Oakland district, the establishment of another Greek Orthodox Church in the densely Hellenic populated area of North Side, was necessitated. As a result, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was established on at the corner of Sandusky Street and Stockton Avenue. Rev. Nicholas Papavasilis performed the first church services in April 1923. Shortly thereafter, the community was moved to the second floor of a building on the corner of Sandusky and Lacock Streets, before moving to 606 Sandusky Street in 1931. The contributions of all parishioners reflect Holy Trinity’s present brilliance. During the early years, the parishioners, primarily made up of first generation immigrants, struggled in many ways, but especially financially. Somehow, though, they found the means to sustain our Holy Orthodox faith.

During one period, a commissioned “dues” collector, many will remember Peter Angelakos, went door-to-door to all of the Greek Orthodox households in the community to collect the contributions for the coming Sunday’s liturgical needs, including candles and utilities. The monthly dues were 25-cents per month. Men would go to the nearby Ohio River to gather sand for the candle stands. Others would cook a meal for the community priest, who in the early days, many times did not have a regular salary.

On a regular basis, the men and women of the Holy Trinity drama troupe would put on Greek plays and comedies, with the proceeds going to the church treasury. One man, Mr. John Athas, in the heart of the Depression, assumed the financial responsibility of the Church, and in his tenure of five years as president of Holy Trinity, was responsible for the complete amortization of the Church’s indebtedness.

The spiritual life at Holy Trinity has been led for 85 years by many priests, bishops and archbishops. They have been the shepherds of Orthodoxy on the North Side. In the early years, many came to Holy Trinity as volunteer priests with little formal training. An older priest would take a young man and train him on his own. When the time was right, the new priest would take on the liturgical responsibilities of the community."

Type of Orthodox Church: Eastern Type of Building: Church Status of Building: Actively in use for worship Archdiocese: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Address: 302 West North Avenue Pittsburgh, PA USA 15212-4626 Relevant Website: [Web Link] Date of organization: Not listed Date of building construction: Not listed Associated Icons, Reliefs, art, etc.: Not listed Diocese: Not listed

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