Holy Church of “Saint George”

History of Saint George-Greek Orhodox church -Brunswick

Commencing its services in the inner suburb of Carlton in 1956, The Holy Church of St. George served the religious needs of post-war Greek migrants of the area. Its first ten years saw church services held in a rented property belonging to the Methodist Church on the corner of Lygon & Queensberry streets Carlton, with plans to move into a permanent residence later on.

The church began by the decree of the GOCMV and according to the GOCMV minutes, the committee had initially planned to build both a church and a school at Illoura House, 424 St. Kilda Road; however the plans did not come to fruition but services continued at the Carlton premises until Sunday 16^th January 1966. It was at this time that the Committee decided to relocate the church from Carlton to the Thornbury area.

The Holy Church of St. George relocated to Thornbury in 1966; committee meeting minutes from the 12^th January describes the decision to move.

“The following Sunday the St. George Church in Carlton will conduct its last service. Due to the committee’s endeavours a church has been purchased in Thornbury for the amount of 8000 Pounds with a deposit of 4000 Pounds and the balance to be paid within five years at an interest rate of 6.5%. Mr. Bossinakis moved that Messrs Elefantis, Raftopoulos and Kenos visit the church and that the agreement for purchase be finalised. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kenos and passed unanimously.”

Initially operating from the corner of Martin and Armadale Streets, the church in Thornbury later relocated to its current site 66 St. David St, which was purchased in the 1970s. Today it still serves local parishioners every week.

Source: GOCMV Minutes Volume VII