St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (Lowell, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 61 Bowers Street Lowell, Massachusetts |
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| NRHP reference No. | 08000507 |
| Added to NRHP | June 10, 2008 |
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church is a special church in Lowell, Massachusetts. It belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. This church is part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Lowell has several Eastern Orthodox churches, and St. George is an important one among them.
History of St. George Church
Early Days: Syrian-Lebanese Families Arrive
The first Syrian-Lebanese families came to Lowell in the mid-1880s. They traveled from small towns like Aita al-Foukhar in Lebanon and Saydnaya in Syria. These families brought their ancient Christian faith, Eastern Orthodoxy, with them to America.
Finding a Place to Worship
At first, there was no church building for them. When a priest was available, Sunday services were held in people's homes. Dedicated members of the community worked hard to find a permanent place. In 1917, they bought the building that is now the church.
Building a New Church Home
The building was originally built in 1883 by French Huguenots, who were a type of Protestant Christian group. It took two years to change and prepare the building for Orthodox worship. On May 25, 1919, the church was officially opened and blessed.
Growth of the Church Community
When it first opened, the church had about 25 to 30 families. Over the years, more Orthodox Christians moved to the area, and the church grew. Lowell is unique because about one-fifth of its people follow the Eastern Orthodox faith. The members of St. George Church are proud of their community. Many of them are professionals like doctors, lawyers, and engineers, and many are successful business owners.
Church Leaders Over Time
Many important leaders, called Archbishops and Metropolitans, have guided the church. Since 1975, Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Saliba and his helpers have led the church. Many priests have also served the church over the years, helping the community grow in faith. Father Leonard Faris has been serving as the priest since 2001.
Making the Church Beautiful
Over the years, the church has been updated and made more beautiful. In the mid-1980s, new icons were added. Icons are special religious paintings. A famous artist named Youssis painted them. Two very important icons are the beautiful image of the Holy Virgin, called the Platytera, and the grand icon of Jesus, called the Pantocrator, which is directly overhead. More recently, air conditioning was installed to make the church more comfortable.
St. George Church on the National Register
What is the National Register?
The National Register of Historic Places is a list of important places in the United States. These places are special because of their history, architecture, or what they mean to a community. Being on this list helps protect these important sites.
Why St. George Church is Historic
St. George Church in Lowell was added to the National Register in June 2008. It was recognized because of its strong connection to the immigrants who came to Lowell. These immigrants worked in the mills that made Lowell a very important center during the American Industrial Revolution. The church represents the history and contributions of these families.
See also
