Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church

In 1940, a beacon of faith arose in Yonkers. The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, nestled at 15 Leroy Avenue, began its journey. The church’s story, however, truly starts in the 1920s and 1930s. Greek immigrants, settling in Yonkers, formed various organizations. These groups laid the groundwork for the future church. The community purchased a building. This building, formerly the Allison Avenue Christian Church, became the first home of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. The community expanded in 1943. They acquired seven lots adjacent to the church. This land later housed the Community Center. The Greek immigration of the 1960s brought further growth to the area. The need for a larger church and a cultural center became evident. The Church Center was built by the late 1960s. It provided space for social and educational activities, including Greek language and religious studies classes. Tragedy struck amidst this progress. The original church building, purchased in 1940, burned down. The community rallied. They rebuilt a temporary structure. They continued fundraising for a new church. In 1982, more land near the church became available. The community swiftly raised the necessary funds to purchase it. By 1990, as plans for a new church and parking lot developed, even more adjacent land was acquired. In 1992, a groundbreaking ceremony took place. Archbishop Iakovos presided over this momentous occasion. The construction of the new Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church and parking lot officially began. The project concluded in 1998. On January 3, 1999, Archbishop Spyridon led the first Divine Liturgy in the new church. The parishioners joined him in offering thanks. Today, the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church stands as a testament to the community’s resilience. It symbolizes their dedication to their faith and cultural heritage.