Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church

In the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church stands as a testament to a vibrant community’s enduring faith. The church’s story begins not here, but downtown, amidst the bustling streets of 19th-century Greenwich Village. In 1892, a small group of Greek immigrants, yearning for a spiritual home, held their first liturgy in the Judson Memorial Baptist Church near Washington Square. This marked the birth of Evangelismos, a name that means “Annunciation” and signifies the announcement of the coming of Christ. The early years of Evangelismos were marked by a nomadic existence. The community moved from the Judson Memorial Baptist Church to the Asbury Methodist Church, and then to a United Methodist Church on West 4th Street. The congregation even briefly shared space with the Holy Trinity Church further uptown. Each move reflected the growing Greek community and its search for a permanent sanctuary. By 1908, under the leadership of Father Nikolaos Lazaris, Evangelismos found a temporary home on West 30th Street. This era saw the church flourish, hosting community events, a Greek school, and even a visit from Prince Paul, who later became King of Greece. The need for a larger space led the community to acquire the former Amity Baptist Church on West 54th Street in 1929. This Byzantine-style edifice became a hub of Greek-American life. However, this home was short-lived. In 1938, the church was demolished to make way for a police station. Evangelismos then moved to West 85th Street. Finally, in 1953, the community purchased the former Fourth Presbyterian Church at 302 West 91st Street. This magnificent Gothic Revival building, designed by the architects of St. John the Divine, became the permanent home of Evangelismos. The congregation added a beautiful icon screen and imported crystal chandeliers, blending the church’s Greek heritage with its American setting. Today, Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church continues to serve as a beacon of faith and community, a living testament to the perseverance and devotion of the Greek immigrants who first established it over a century ago.