Picture this a vibrant Sunday morning in Woodside Queens. Sunlight streams onto the iconic St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church. This isn’t just any church. It’s a beacon of faith a testament to perseverance. St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church stands proudly at 70-29 45th Avenue. Its story is woven into the fabric of this community.
The parish began humbly in September 1958. A group of Orthodox families sought a place to worship in English. They wanted to pass their faith onto their children. For four years services were held in homes and a rented storefront. Even the kindness of St Paul’s Episcopal Church offered temporary sanctuary. Father Joseph Kreta the parish’s first priest tirelessly served. He celebrated services wherever he could.
Securing a permanent building proved challenging. Finding funding was even harder. The parish wasn’t established enough for a mortgage. Yet a miracle happened. Two bankers from Maspeth Savings and Loan Association believed. They approved a mortgage. Construction on the current site began. The generous property stretched from 45th Avenue to 44th Avenue. It was easily seen from Queens Boulevard.
The groundbreaking ceremony was a joyous occasion. His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church officiated. His Eminence Archbishop Ireney blessed the completed church on May 20 1962. Adjoining buildings became a church hall and parking lot. A home across 69th Street served as the rectory.
The St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church thrived. In 1980 interior renovations marked the parish’s 25th anniversary. The old rectory was sold in the 1990s. A three-story rectory on 44th Avenue replaced it. A new altar table was consecrated in 1996 by Archbishop Peter of New York and New Jersey.
Father Joseph Kreta served for fourteen years. In 1972 he was called to the Diocese of Alaska. Father Gregory Havrilak stepped up. He served as acting rector then rector until 1993. A succession of devoted priests followed. Father Daniel Degyansky became rector in September 1997. He continues the legacy of St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church.
Today St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church is more than a building. It’s a vibrant community. It’s a place where faith hope and love endure. Its story is one of resilience and unwavering faith. It is a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of the Orthodox faith in the heart of Woodside. This church continues to serve and inspire its faithful parishioners.