CATHEDRAL CAMPAIGN

In the mid-1960s a study was done to survey existing conditions and space needs. In 1968 we added office and classroom space.
We rehabilitated the community center, knowing at that time that facilities would soon need to be expanded to serve our growing
numbers.

RENOVATION OF COMMUNITY CENTER

A measure taken to expand our Sunday School classroom space took place when the community center was remodeled. This is how the building looked in the fall of 1966.

 

In May, 1967, the new addition was complete

Five subcommittees were chosen in 1974 to study and report on the various requirements for expansion. Sixteen potentially is attractive sites were analyzed, with a site at I- 270 and Cleveland Avenue being chosen. Plans for a new facility were postponed by the General Assembly until the parcel of land (approxi-mately 50 acres) was paid for. The final payment was made in December, 1979.

By then, sentiment was starting to shift to the increa-singly attractive idea of remaining in the downtown area. The Near North Side had begun to develop with impressive business buildings, a hotel, shops, and restaurants. The General Assembly voted in 1980 to remain at the Park and Goodale location.

A Building Development Subcommittee was formed to study our space requirements. They decided that we would need to purchase all the buildings in the block in order to meet our needs. We would then demolish all buildings around the church, giving us a total land parcel of 2.289 acres.

In August, 1984, the parish assembly approved the sale of the 1-270 property. Architect Steven Papadatos, who has a firm in New York, was hired as a consulting architect to present concepts for the cathedral plan. The local architectural firm of George J. Kontogiannis and Associates will direct and carry out the plans.

The new Cathedral-Education Center will be of classic llth-15th century Byzantine design. The new church will seat 600 people; the new social hall will accommodate at least 350 people and will include a restaurant-sized kitchen. In addition, there will be a separate regulation-sized basketball court and related facilities, offices, utility space, and 15 classrooms.

Raising the necessary money began as the Land Fund Drive in which $350,000 was raised in five years to pay for the property at 1-270 and Cleveland Avenue. As the decision was made to remain at our current location, we then began buying the parcels of land around the church. As part of the Cathedral Campaign, professional fund-raisers were I hired to begin the work of raising the three million dollars needed to complete the building project.