“Welcome to St. George!” That’s not just a greeting. It’s an invitation into a rich history, a vibrant community, and a testament to faith. We are standing before Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church. Its story is woven into the tapestry of Chicago’s religious and cultural heritage.
Orthodox Christians began arriving in Illinois in the early 20th century. At first itinerant priests served them. They came from Michigan City and Spring Valley. For decades, there were too few families in Chicago. They could not establish their own parish. Many worshipped in local Greek churches. Others belonged to the Melkite/Maronite parish of St. John the Baptist.
In 1960, several families asked Metropolitan ANTONY to send them a priest. Services were held at the Syrian-Lebanese Club House. It was on Washington Boulevard and Laramie Avenue. Father Philip Giffin was one of the first priests. He commuted from Buffalo New York. Later, priests from the Greek Diocese of Chicago served. Father John Newcombe became the first resident priest. He served the parish from 1965 to 1966.
In 1966, Metropolitan PHILIP sent Father Antony Gabriel to St. George. Father Antony purchased a church building. It was from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. The former Good Samaritan Episcopal Church became St. George’s first permanent home. It was in Oak Park.
Father Antony started many organizations. These included a SOYO group, a Ladies Guild, and a Brotherhood of Chanters. This brotherhood was named “Brotherhood of the Noble Joseph.” He also formed a choir. The parish included Greeks Serbians and Russians. A few American converts joined the St. George family. Thus, the parish became the first “Pan-Orthodox” parish in the Chicago area.
As the parish grew, the Oak Park church became too small. In 1979, a committee sought a larger space. In 1983, they found a former Korean Presbyterian Church in Cicero. In 1984, St. George purchased it. The complex included classrooms a hall a rectory and a parking lot. The church needed extensive renovations for Orthodox worship.
The history of Saint George is full of miracles. One notable event occurred on April 22 1994. The Icon of the Theotokos began to shed tears. Metropolitan PHILIP declared it a miracle. He named it “The Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Cicero.”
In December 1997, a fire damaged the altar area. For a year and a half services were held elsewhere. The parish renovated and expanded the church. The altar was replaced. A new iconostasis from Greece was installed. The interior was modified. The exterior was cleaned. The fellowship hall was renovated.
In 1998, the Sunday School facility was expanded. In 1999, St. George hosted the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention. Over 3500 people attended.
In 2001, the restored St. George Church was dedicated. In 2005, another Midwest Diocese Parish Life Conference was hosted in Cicero. In July 2011 St. George hosted another Antiochian Archdiocese Convention.
Today, Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community. It’s a place where history and tradition meet. It is a welcoming space for all.