KAROUSOS ART CRITICS: SAINT DEMETRIOS Greek Orthodox Cathedral ⛪️ in Astoria, Queens, NY and the ONLY GREEK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE USA 🇺🇸🇬🇷!

Τετάρτη 8 Απριλίου 2026

SAINT DEMETRIOS Greek Orthodox Cathedral ⛪️ in Astoria, Queens, NY and the ONLY GREEK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE USA 🇺🇸🇬🇷!

SAINT DEMETRIOS Greek Orthodox Cathedral

in Astoria, Queens, NY and the ONLY GREEK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE USA

The Greek immigrants of Astoria felt a need to organize their own Church and in 1927 the ground on which St. Demetrios stands today, was purchased for $3,500. An architect was engaged and a $25,000 structure was agreed upon which could later serve as a basement for the someday completed structure of their dream.

These Greek immigrants consisting of furriers, tailors, bakers and laborers gathered together on November 7, 1927 to form the “Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria, St. Demetrios Inc.” as their official name. Twenty days later a cornerstone was laid at the present site of St. Demetrios Church and only a short six months later on April 1, 1928 the basement was Consecrated as the first Church building of the Community.

From the inception of the Community an afternoon Greek School and Sunday School Program was organized to help the new generation of Greek-Americans hold on to their language, customs, traditions and religion

For nine years the parishioners worshipped in their small semi-basement Church. These were depression years and it wasn’t until 1936 before they could actually being building again. It took six years, but in 1942, the St. Demetrios Church

as we know it today opened its doors.

In the early 1940’s the founding fathers saw a need for expansion to serve the social needs of the growing community. After much struggle, two lots were purchased on 30th Street in the year 1952 and in 1957 the Center was completed and consecrated.

On September, 1957 St. Demetrios opened up its first Day School, with 267 children registered. On May 9, 1982, the ceremonial “cutting of the ribbon” took place marking the opening of the St. Demetrios High School which is the only GREEK HIGH SCHOOL

in the USA. Today, the school enrolls students from preschool to twelfth grade with over 600 Greek-American students. This alone is an accomplishment, which deserves much merit.

Thousands of families all across the tri-state area, as well as many thousands more across the country can trace their family roots through the doors of Saint Demetrios in Astoria, NY.