MILESTONES IN OUR HISTORY-------------------
1903-1911
First Greeks—John G. Diamanti, John Malkos, and Constantine Rekoutis—came to Carbon County to work in Castle Gate coal mine. After learning that there were jobs available in the mines, young Greek men came to
1912
The young men decided to build a Greek Orthodox Church. The Helper Greeks agreed, but only if the Church was located in Helper.
There were only about a half a dozen Greek women were in
1914
Church services were conducted for some months in Helper in the rear of a coffee house owned by Stellios and George Lenderakis. There is no record of the priest’s name who officiated at these services.
A committee of three—Gust G. Pappas, Stylian Staes, and Emmanuel Salevurakis – met with the Helper people, led by John Diamanti, in an attempt to convince them that the Church should be built in Price. The Helper Greeks finally agreed to build in Price, and the issue was resolved.
1915
The first formal meeting was held on December 15 for the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Church of Southern Utah.
A general assembly was held on December 22. It was decided that fund raising for the new church should begin, an architect to design the church should be selected, and that the members should petition the Holy Synod of Greece to assign a married priest (particularly Rev. Mark Petrakis) to the community.
1916
In February, land for the new church was purchased for the sum of $800.00 and bids for construction were opened on March 7. The lowest bid was $11,336.00 plus $968.00 for a furnace. Approval was given to proceed with the construction.
On May 4, a letter was received from the Holy Synod of Greece assigning Rev. Mark Petrakis to the Greek Orthodox Church of Southern Utah.
On August 15, the Day of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Church was officially dedicated.
1917
The first permanent officers of the church were selected and the duties of said offices were defined. The first budget was drawn up anticipating collections of $6,550.00, and expenses of $6,555.00.
World War I was raging at this time. Some Greek lads, even though they were not
1918
Items necessary for the new church were being donated. A silver Bible was given by two young brothers—Pete and George Gustas. The beautiful chandelier was a result of fund raising by residents of Hiawatha.
1920s
Greek schools were established. Even though the children born to these immigrant Greeks spoke Greek, their parents wanted them to learn to read and write Greek as well.
As the Greek Orthodox population grew, and there was some talk of enlarging the church, however, those plans were postponed because of the onset of the Great Depression of 1929.
1930s
On January 17, 1937, the church was incorporated and renamed the Hellenic Orthodox Church, Price,
1940s
In April of 1940, a building committee was formed to raise funds for the enlargement of the church.
On September l8, l940, the community was honored with a visitation by Archbishop ATHENAGORAS who later became the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Construction on the enlargement of the church began in 1941. The building was to be extended to the front, a balcony was to be added and new tile floors were to be installed.
In the spring of 1945 a fire broke out causing considerable smoke damage-- thus creating a need for a general renovation of the interior of the building.
1946-1960
Having completed the work on the Church building, the board of directors turned their efforts toward securing a Church rectory and other income properties.
The 60's saw the most extensive improvement and enlargement of the
A new Sunday School building was erected in 1962 east of the Church.
In 1966 the Assumption community celebrated its Golden Anniversary.
1970s
In 1972, the Assumption was named to the Utah Register of Historic Sites. In 1973, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites.
1975 marked the beginning of Greek Festival Days in Price.
1980s
1981—The Church celebrated its 65th birthday. A special recognition was given to Helen Papanikolas and Dr. J. Eldon Dorman. Helen, through her writings, recorded the stories of the early Greek immigrants. Dr. Dorman was instrumental in getting the
1985—A Carbon County reunion, “Greeks Together Again”, was held with some of the activities in a newly constructed pavilion. Hundreds of people from around the country celebrated and renewed friendships that had begun in Carbon Country,
1990s
1991-The church celebrated its 75th anniversary and its 80th in 1996.
2000s
The Consecration of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church was celebrated on February 23, 2003 with His Eminence Metropolitan ISAIAH officiating.
Several coal miners who lost their lives in the Castle Gate mine explosion of March 8, 1924 had unmarked graves. A monument to them was dedicated in the
2006- The 90th Anniversary Celebration was held on November 17,18, 19 , 2006.