Our History In Jacksonville, FL
Welcome to St. John the Divine, the 3rd oldest Greek Orthodox Church in the state of Florida. As you read the beautiful history, please know that it wouldn’t have been possible without the grace and love of Our Savior Jesus Christ, working through the hearts and souls of devoted and faithful clergy and parishioners throughout the years.
1900
Church Started
St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church started with fourteen parishioners
1907
Divine Liturgy In Homes
Reverend Arsenious Davis, a visiting priest from St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Savannah, GA, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the homes of Jacksonville’s Greek residents
November 2, 1916
Charter Established
A charter was established, and St. John the Divine was born
July 1917
Home was Converted To A Church
A home at 1623 Boulevard Street was converted into a Church where worship would take place
April 25, 1919
First Property Purchased
The new spiritual home of St. John the Divine was purchased on the corner of Laura and Union Streets
1919
First Assigned Priest
Rev. Fr. Michael Sarris, became the first assigned priest to St. John the Divine
January 6, 1926
AHEPA Was Established
Established the sixth oldest AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) chapter in America
May 1, 1966
Atlantic Blvd Property
His Grace, Bishop Emilianos, and parish priest, Fr. Frank blessed the new Church property at 3850 Atlantic Boulevard.
Designed by St. John’s parishioner, Ted Pappas, AIA
July, 14, 1967
Contruction Began
Construction on the new sanctuary began. The original Iconostasion, from Laura and Union, was incorporated into the Atlantic Boulevard design
March 3, 1968
First Divine Liturgy Celebrated
Thyranoixia (Opening of the Church doors) Service and the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by V. Rev. Archimandrite Fr. Frank M. Kirlangitis
September 20, 1970
Church Consecration
The Church was consecrated, by Archbishop Iakovos, the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America
April 12, 2000
Beach Blvd Property Purchased
Thanks to the efforts of Archon Ted Johnson and under the leadership of Parish priest, Very Rev. Nicholas T. Graff, the church purchased over 23 acres of land at 12760 Beach Boulevard
September 23, 2000
Blessing of New Property
Blessing of the new Church property
Spring 2008
Building Committee & Capital Campaign Established
New Parish Priest, Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh organized the Building Committee, under the leadership of Archon Nicholas J. Furris to begin the design of the new Church with Architect, Steven Papadatos. Athena Mann and Steve Bacalis were appointed to chair the Capital Campaign committee to begin fundraising for our new Church along with Fr. Constantine Zozos.
May 22, 2011
Fundraising Begins & Finale Campus Design
Under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh, along with the Building Committee Chairman, Archon Nicholas J. Furris, and Capital Campaign Committee Co-Chairs, Steve Bacalis and Athena Mann, committee members and the Parish Council, the Church began fundraising and designing the final layout of the Church campus.
September 24, 2016
100 Year Celebration
100-year celebration of St. John the Divine and groundbreaking of new church, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Archbishop of America, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, parish priest, Protopresbyter Nicholas G. Louh as well as the clergy of St. John the Divine
November 2018
Construction Begins
Construction on the new church campus began
December 19, 2020
Final Liturgy
Final Liturgy at Atlantic Blvd church officiated by the parish priest; Protopresbyter Nicholas G. Louh along with Rev. Dr. Milton Magos, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Mot, and Rev. Deacon Athanasios Kartsonis and faithful of St. John the Divine
December 19 & 20, 2020
Opening of Our New Church
Thyranoixia (the Opening of the Church doors) Service and first Divine Liturgy, celebrated with His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, along with His Grace, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos, along with the clergy and faithful of St. John the Divine
2021
Icons & Holy Relics Moved
The 100-year-old Iconostasion from the original Church, our historic jewel, was restored by Jacksonville’s Master Craftsman, John Dillow, who skillfully disassembled the existing Iconostasion into twenty pieces and reconstructed it in the new Chapel. The Holy Relics from the Altar Table on Atlantic Boulevard were transported to new place of honor in the new Altar.