Dedicated to the Founders

A Celebration of 75 Years

          Parents, grandparents, great grandparents - their journey led us to this celebration.  Their journey has been long, filled with hard work, much love, and oh, so many tears.  They struggled, they toiled, they put aside their fears, and always, on this journey, they exalted Saints Constantine and Helen, through all the years.  With joyful hearts and great faith in God above, our founders built our Church with so much love.  Now with the same hope, faith, and love, let us continue their journey and remember them faithfully with prayers to God above.  May their memory be eternal.

          Education - very little, money - next to nothing, a great faith in God, determination beyond belief, hard work, sacrifice, obstacles, adversity, and a willingness to put God first, the combination of all of these, and so much more, was the heart and soul of the founding of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.  We now celebrate 75 years because of the great zeal our founders had for their faith, for their families, and for the community of Greek Orthodox immigrants.

          Lacking in material wealth, but rich in spirituality, a small, but strong and determined band of Greek immigrants founded Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in 1922.  Records show that from 1926-1928, a group of old calendar Julian believers founded “Agia Triatha” with Father Efstathios Giombakis.

          The first years were very hard on the Congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen, as they lacked financial resources and a permanent home.  The first service was held on March 25, 1922 by Father Kalistratas Glavas of Chicago.  It was held in a small hall on Fourth and State Streets in downtown Milwaukee.  In a short time, the vibrant and active congregation elected to move to another small hall on Poplar Street.  Father George Sakelariou was the first permanent priest of Saints Constantine and Helen.  The first President was Theodore Seraphim.

          Later it was evident that the hall was not fulfilling the needs of the church.  A larger, more permanent, site was needed.  A Jewish Synagogue was for sale at 1432 North 5th Street.  It was purchased in 1924 and converted into the first permanent home for Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Milwaukee.  At the helm as Parish President was Anthony Adamopoulos.

          The Very Reverend George Thomas became pastor in 1944.  He remained with the Church for over twenty years, and largely due to his solid and determined leadership and strong will, many great things were accomplished.  The Parish President during these years was Gust Papastathopoulos.

          Difficult years were ahead.  The stock market crashed and there was a terrible depression, but perseverance prevailed with these hard working but poor immigrants.  On March 11, 1945, they were very proud to burn the mortgage on the Church property.  Later, more property adjacent to the Church was purchased, and eventually the Church owned a half a block. 

          From 1945 through 1957, the Church was completely renovated.  New pews were purchased and the old pump organ replaced.  With the combined efforts of members of the Parish Council and dedicated members of the congregation, the renovation was completed.  During this time period, the Ladies Philoptochos held a Bazaar and Fashion Show every year in the Fifth Street church, with the proceeds helping to pay for the cost of the renovation. 

          The Eastern Orthodox faith was recognized as the fourth major faith by the State Legislature in June 1961.  Father Thomas was instrumental in getting this measure approved by both the State Senate and the State Assembly.  Many organizations were active throughout these early years:  Sunday School, Church Choir and Junior and Senior G.O.Y.A. - Greek Orthodox Youth of America.  These were busy and fulfilling years for the congregation.

          In 1957, Saints Constantine and Helen marked its 35th Anniversary.  Bishop Germanos, Governor Vernon W. Thomson, and Mayor Frank P. Zeidler all attended and spoke at a gala dinner, which was held after the Divine Liturgy, in the Crystal Ballroom of the Schroeder Hotel.  It was a major event for the founders and all of the parishioners.

          In July, 1961, a New Building Committee was formed, and during the same month, Archbishop Iakovos celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the first time at Saints Constantine and Helen.  This was an exciting event and a major milestone for everyone in the congregation.

          In October, 1962, at a General Assembly meeting, it was voted to purchase our present church site at 2160 Wauwatosa Avenue.  At this time, George Tsopelas was the Parish President.  The Building Fund Committee, chaired by Arthur Labros, recommended to build a multi-purpose building first, to help pay for the new church, which would later be built on the property.  This was voted on and approved by the General Assembly.

          Many obstacles had to be overcome before the new building could be erected.  The Wauwatosa Common Council was receiving misleading information as to the use of the proposed building.  All of this was fought by Father Thomas.  He pointed out that the church hall would be used by weddings and baptismal parties for the congregation members only.  He was a stalwart supporter of the new church and building project.  The project eventually received approval.

          Work on the multi-purpose building began in January, 1968, coinciding with the arrival of the new priest, Father Constantine Hallick.  With pride in the past and great hope for the future, and yet with deep sadness, the final liturgy at the Church on Fifth Street was conducted by Father Hallick.  The multi-purpose building was dedicated in December, 1968.  Services were conducted downstairs with the Sunday School classes meeting upstairs in the Fellowship Hall.  With Father Hallick, the parish went ahead to build the present church.  An architectural firm was hired to design and construct the church building.

          The year 1972 marked another milestone in the history of Saints Constantine and Helen.  The 50th Anniversary was celebrated in June, 1972.  A special dinner was held for all who had worked hard on behalf of the church, followed by a pageant, which depicted the fifty years of the church.  The pageant, dedicated to those 50 years and the founders of the church, was both moving and joyful.  Those in attendance laughed, cried, and shared a special bond of pride with each other.  Thomas Maras led the congregation as Parish President at the time.  In October of 1972, a Golden Anniversary Dinner was held to honor the Church.

          Throughout these years, with strong support, guidance, and example of the immigrant forefathers/mothers, new generations of parish members became actively involved in Saints Constantine and Helen.  Old and young worked side by side, with love, “for the good of the church.”  The beautiful and rich Greek heritage and traditions were experienced by all.  Everyone eagerly anticipated the completion of the new church.

          All the years of hard work culminated on September 22, 1974, when the new Church and Fellowship Hall were dedicated by Bishop Timotheos and Father Hallick at a very special Divine Liturgy.  This was a glorious time in the history of the Church.  Tears flowed that day, for the founders who had worked so hard.  Many had already left this Earth, but were present in spirit, and their presence was deeply felt.  The new Church featured a classical Byzantine design in the shape of a cross with curved wings at each corner, a large narthex, crying room, office area, and seating for 400 persons.  Also in 1972, a new church organ was purchased.  The organ was paid with money collected from candy sales, private donations, with the balance paid by the Ladies Philoptochos (“Kassiani”) Society.

          The Fellowship Hall was put to good use.  A Friday Fish Fry was started by the Senior Citizens group and Father Hallick.  Food and help were generously supplied by a parishioner through his business.  Later, committees were formed to supply the help and purchase the food.  The weekly Fish fry still exists and it provides the church was a consistently good income.  The Philoptochos Ladies also published their own cookbook, The Key to Good Cooking, in 1972 which continues to bring in revenue.  The Annual Grecian Festival began in the Fellowship Hall and is still in existence.  In 1976, the Regional Choir Conference was hosted by Saints Constantine and Helen, in addition to the many other events that took place over the years.

          With the sad passing of Father Hallick on March 6, 1981, the congregation was blessed to have Father Joe Tzougros join the church for several months.  That same year, the Very Reverend Eugene Pappas, from Omaha, Nebraska became the new priest.

          On May 21, 1983, a gala Imperial Ball was held in the Fellowship Hall, observing the Name Day of the Church.  On May 22, 1983, all the years of intense and persistent hard work was rewarded when the mortgage for the present Church was burned .  This was done in the name and to the glory of God.  Bishop Iakovos and Father Pappas did the honors, and the parish celebrated with joy.  Father Pappas was with the Church from 1981-1983.

          Shortly following the burning of the mortgage, Father Pappas was transferred to New York.  The current priest, Father Theodore Trifon, arrived from Duluth, Minnesota.  He became the pastor in July, 1983.  During his tenure, the Stewardship Pledge System was introduced and the Sunday School Program was completely renovated.  Father Ted actively involved the children and the youth of the parish, and has enjoyed success with many youth oriented programs.  His sincere and true love of young people shines through everything he does.  There are active groups within the church today’s, from JOY to GOYA to YAL, involving all ages of young people within the Church Community.  With Father Ted’s guidance, the Church Board, Choir, Philoptochos, Sunday School, JOY, GOYA, YAL, Religious Classes and Bible Study, the Ionian and Dorian dance groups, Diaconia Agape, and Foreign Missions Ministry, have all become an integral part of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.  The members of these groups work hard to keep the church going strong.

          An important milestone occurred during the weekend of May 21-22, 1988.  Under the leadership of His Grace Bishop Iakovos of the Greek Diocese of Chicago, Father Trifon, and Parish Council President and Consecration Chairman, John Papatriantafyllou, the Consecration of the church was celebrated.  Many parishioners worked long and hard to prepare the church for this important occasion.  The inner dome of the Church was painted bright blue, a new marble altar was built, many religious articles were brought from Greece, the floor of the Fellowship Hall was refurbished and the exterior of the Church and grounds were made more beautiful.  All this was done with pride and joy for the Church.

          At the Great Vesper service and the Divine Liturgy, many visiting priests assisted with the celebration, including former Parish Priests, the Very Reverend George Thomas and the Very Reverend Eugene Pappas.  The processions were especially moving and special for everyone who participated.

          A Consecration Banquet and Ball was held at the Pfister Hotel, with dinner and dancing for all.  The names of John and Mary Demetropoulos were picked as Godparents of the Church.  Their names were selected by lot from a list of Stewards of the Church.  The weekend was filled with many emotional moments that will always be remembered.   Father Ted was promoted to the rank of Protopresbyter by Bishop Iakovos on Sunday, May 22, 1988.

          Through the years, the Church has been blessed with dedicated, capable, unselfish, and truly loving priests, parishioners, Parish Council Presidents, and members.  A parish is more than the special priests and active council members.  It is all of the people within the Saints Constantine and Helen Church Orthodox Church community who have made the church what it is today.  Each has helped and contributed in his or her unique way, many carrying on what their great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents started.  Saints Constantine and Helen is proud to be a living, loving, and worshipping Greek Orthodox community within Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  The parishioners care about one another and about their Church.

          We deeply and respectfully thank and appreciate all the parishioners, past and present, active and inactive, those here with us, and those who have departed, who have helped bring Saints Constantine and Helen to the present day Church that it is.  It’s a Church to be proud of; a Church built with love and hope for the future, with an important bond to the past.    

          As the parishioners look to the future, to the children and grandchildren, the wish is that they will carry on from here with the same devotion that was shown in the past.  That is the true strength of Saints Constantine and Helen Church.

          Let us remember with love and respect all the founders, and let their spirits guide us in all that we do.  May the foundation they laid inspire us to continue their work.

          Let us offer a deep and heartfelt thank you to all who have labored through the years for the glory of God and our Church, Saints Constantine and Helen.